Reward increased to $10,000 for missing ram in Northwest Missouri

GRANT CITY, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- The search continues for a missing ram in Northwest Missouri, with the reward now raised to $10,000 for his safe return.

The ram, named Panic, disappeared from his pen the night of Sept. 1 in Grant City, Missouri. His owners believe he may have been stolen.

Emily Anderson, who has been raising naturally colored sheep since she was nine years old, spent the last decade raising the small flock Panic belongs to.

She's preparing for her last junior show at the North American International Livestock Exposition, now without the most elite sheep she's ever raised.

Friends, family and members of the community quickly came together to raise funds, which boosted the reward for Panic's return.

"We feel very supported by our community," said Christie Anderson, co-owner of Anderson Farms and the missing ram, "It shows that there are far more good people than bad."

Panic has been competing all over the country this year and has won several titles, including National Champion, natural colored sheep for medium wools in Albany, Oregon.

The family said Panic will be worth the full $10,000 reward if returned alive and able to breed by Sept. 22. If he is returned in non-breeding condition or deceased, the reward will be $6,500.

While the owners have alerted sale barns, they say it is unlikely he would show up at one. They are asking anyone with possible leads, no matter how small, to call Anderson Farms at 660-988-3503, day or night.