In responding to the concerns raised, the Stock Theft Unit informed the public that an operation was, at some point, set up for the alleged perpetrators staying in the mountains. It comprised of police helicopters and vans, and it culminated in large amounts of stock being recovered. However, the Committee was told that residents did not mark their stock for easy identification, which led to most recovered stock being unclaimed. It was further explained to the community that there is legislation which prescribes a period within which lost cattle must be kept in an impound facility. If the period expired without the recovered stock being claimed, it would be disposed off by the Master of the Pound.