Break-in at Nova Scotia barn results in the death of thousands of chickens

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Pine Grove, N.S. (Rural Roots Canada) – A break-and-enter at a poultry barn in Nova Scotia has resulted in the death of approximately 10,000 chickens.

Lunenburg District RCMP say officers responded to reports of a break-in at a poultry barn in Pine Grove on Saturday, July 25. It’s believed that sometime the night before, someone entered the barn and shut off the building’s ventilation system.

“It appears that nothing was reported stolen from the barn or the facility,” RCMP spokesperson Corporal Mandy Edwards tells Rural Roots Canada. “It appears that someone physically turned off the ventilation fan. They usually run on auto, but they had been turned off, so that means the temperature inside the barn increased.”

Edwards says aside from the break-and-enter, and the financial impact of the loss of the chickens, this is also being investigated as a case of animal cruelty.

“We’re looking at all aspects of this. We would like to determine the intention or motive behind this. There were approximately 10,000 chickens that died as a result of these actions, so that is animal cruelty in that regard.”

This is not the first time something like this has happened in Nova Scotia.

In November 2023, a similar incident occurred in Steam Mill, N.S., not far from Pine Grove. In that case, thousands of chickens died, and the total loss was estimated to be more than $150,000.

“There was no arrest or suspects at the time, and there’s no indication the two incidents are connected,” said Edwards.

Anyone with information about the break-and-enter is asked to call Lunenburg District RCMP at 902-527-5555. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca.

The post Break-in at Nova Scotia barn results in the death of thousands of chickens first appeared on Rural Roots Canada.