By Ron Brown
 
February 10, 2010
 
ASHLAND, Ore. - The large wind storm that blew through Southern Oregon almost a month ago is still impacting people and animals in the South Rogue Valley area.
 
A fence that blew down in Talent allowed a rare sheep to get out of his pasture, and he is still defying efforts to bring him back home.
 
Benny the Wayward Barbados Sheep has been missing from a Talent pasture behind Bill Conn's house. The wind storm of January 19th blew down a fence that let him escape from his two pasture mates, and he's been a step ahead of Bill and police ever since.
 
"I've been into neighbor's properties, and over fences and through the blackberries, and you name it, I've been through it. He disappeared again," Conn said.
 
Talent Police, Oregon State Police and Animal Control all tried for three days to round him up, with no luck.
 
"We couldn't sedate it and other than getting a noose around and lassoing him, its about all we can do. We never got close enough. He's pretty crafty, I guess," Talent Police Chief Mike Moran said.
 
Finally, Benny showed up in the backyard of Ron and Marilyn Bolstad's home in the hills behind Ashland Community Hospital, where he seems to be pretty content for now.
 
"We got some alfalfa hay. We hoped he'd eat that rather than our flowers and bushes. But has has eaten a rhododendron, which is not supposedly very good for him. And I made him this molasses and oatmeal mash yesterday. He liked that very much, with a sprinkling of corn," said Marilyn Bolstad.
 
Bill Conn says that he could use help trying to corral his wayward Barbados sheep. If you would like to help, or have suggestions, e-mail us at newsdesk@kdrv.com, and we'll forward your contact information to Conn.