Rescue chickens are stolen
They were rescued from a battery farm and had been enjoying the good life for the past five months. But Michelle Jones's beloved pet chickens, worth a total of just £8, were stolen from her home in Wednesfield today.
Thieves ripped down Miss Jones's rear garden fence before making off with her four chickens Nando, Chiquito, Sage and Pepper. Animal lover Miss Jones, who runs Pets' Corner pet shop in Aldridge, Walsall, said she could not believe her eyes when she went into the garden at 7.45am and saw the empty coop.
The 27-year-old said: "To see that they had gone made me sick to my stomach. The thieves had even taken down my fence and stolen the food and water too – why would someone want to do this?
"They are just rescued battery hens worth around £2 each. I just want them back and would happily pay £100 to get them home."
Miss Jones, who lives in Broad Lane South with her mother Brenda and boyfriend Adam Amos, aged 27, said the chickens had become part of the family. They were stolen some time after midnight.
She said it was particularly sad as today was her mother's 59th birthday. "Today was supposed to be a really happy day but now it's ruined," she continued.
"I had grown to love the chickens and am devastated they are gone.
"We didn't hear anything at all. They had had a hard life and would have been slaughtered if I hadn't have rescued them through the Battery Hens Welfare Trust."
The theft has been reported to the police and officers were on their way to the scene today.
In April, a great-grandfather was left devastated after thieves broke into a pen in his rear garden and stole 14 of his cherished chickens and three ducks.
Harold Fletcher, aged 89, of Willenhall, woke to feed his breed of Warren chickens and Khaki Campbell ducks only to find his collection had gone.
Last year, 33 birds were stolen in the Black Country, along with 41 dogs, three horses, a reptile and 32 unspecified animals, according to the RSCPA.
Anyone who can help can call Miss Jones on 01902 606662.
