Within the past month, a total of five cows have gone missing from area pastures.

Lincoln County Sheriff Steve Rushing encourages cattle owners to be aware of their livestock while the investigation is underway.

Rushing confirms that about three weeks ago, three cows went missing off Middle Creek Road.

“It appears somebody had entered the field and taken them,” Rushing said.

The sheriff said they received another report this week that two cows had gone missing from a field on Bogue Chitto Road.

“I want to let everybody know, especially if they have cattle, to be aware of where cattle are, and if you see anything unusual or anyone unknown in the area you keep your livestock, let us know,” Rushing said. “We’d appreciate any lead we can get on the incidents.”

He said the Agricultural Theft Bureau of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture is leading the investigation.