Sheep-nappers hit Rancho Cordova’s Hagan Community Park Thursday night, stealing a 4-year-old male sheep from the petting barn. The bandits had to cut through several fences and two locked gates then had to lift Norman, the 150-pound sheep, over another fence. It is assumed that Norman was then put into a vehicle to leave the park.  Workers say that the loss is even worse because Norman is part of a reading program for kids at the park, Storytime at the Barnyard. Norman is a staff favorite and his best friend and pen mate, Oreo the goat, is missing him dearly.

Hope remains that Norman was stolen as a prank, and that he will be returned safely.  Animal services for both the county and the City of Rancho Cordova have been notified, and staff from both agencies are keeping watching out.  Anyone with any information is asked to call Cordova Recreation and Park District at 916-362-1841.