Two Ponies Pilfered From Southwest Miami-Dade Ranch
SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE (CBS4) - Carrie and Wayne Hershberger, the barn managers at the Circle C Youth Ranch in Southwest Miami-Dade, say no one has ever come on their property and bothered their ponies before, until now.
"They know they belong to the children," said Mrs. Hershberger.
But that didn't stop a group of men from coming on their property in the middle of the night on June 30th and stealing Rusty, a 10-year-old Bae Gelding and Sundae, a five-year-old tri-colored Pinto Mare.
"They led the ponies off the property and we haven't seen them since," said Mr. Hershberger.
Witnesses told the Hershberger's they saw the men stealing the ponies but at the time didn't realize that was what was happening.
"They said there were three gentlemen chasing the ponies and they had ropes around their necks and when they were asked why they had the ponies they said we are here to catch our ponies that got out," said Mrs. Hershberger.
Both ponies are sorely missed by the 150 preschoolers who rode them four days a week during summer camp.
"The children don't have a chance in the big city to ride ponies and that's a major part of their camp day and when they get out to the barn and they don't see their favorite pony there they're devastated," said Mrs. Hershberger. "They want to know why the ponies aren't here anymore."
The news that they were missing was hard to explain to the little ones, especially since Rusty and Sundae were favorites.
"The children were wondering where's Sundae and Rusty asking are they sick, and we said no they're just not here and that was okay. But then the next day they wanted to know where they were, so we had to explain some more and we're still explaining."
As to why someone would take off with the ponies that are valued at about $500-$1,000 each, "I do not know, I have no clue," Mr. Hershberger said with a perplexed look.
The SPCA rescued both ponies and then allowed the youth ranch to adopt them. The SPCA is now offering a $500 reward for information that leads to the safe return of both ponies. No questions asked.
You can call the Miami-Dade Police Department with information 305-476-5423.
