WHEN duck nabbers broke into the grounds of Bessmount Residential Home in Rosehill, Kingskerswell, the resident gander and dogs Pickles and Brie did everything they could to raise the alarm. 'The gander was down there making a hell of a noise. The dogs were making a din too,' said owner Ben Simpson. The noise woke up one of the residents and by the time they were settled down the noise had subsided. Next morning, Mr Simpson discovered that Stumpy, an Indian runner duck with a withered leg, and a dozen miniature Call ducks – worth a total of £1,500 – had gone. They shared the walled former kitchen garden with the gander with his three wives. Mr Simpson discovered him shut up in a different pen.'He is a terror. I hope he gave them a good pecking before they got away,' he said. Mr Simpson said the rare ducks belonged to his youngest son Tom, 18, who breeds and shows them. They are part of a menagerie of pets including pigs, guinea pigs and hens, which provide a source of stimulus and pleasure for his nine residents. Mr Simpson thinks the thieves spotted the ducks from the railway bridge which passes over his grounds. 'Someone obviously looked down on our livestock and realised they were of some value. 'They came down the stream and you can see where someone pushed the fence panels and handed them over the fence to the other person.' 'My main concern is whether the people who took them will know how to look after them properly. 'I've been to a few local sales but they haven't turned up anywhere. I very much doubt that we will hear of them or see them again.'
