In the annals of crime, stealing a cow is, in terms of ease, right up there with stealing candy from a baby.

But not when other members of the animal kingdom decide to intervene.

Police said a 28-year-old crept onto a farmer’s property in Takeo’s Tram Kak district on Tuesday night, and led one of three cows away while their owner dozed.

The seasoned farmer’s dogs proved themselves man’s best friend by letting off a yelp so impassioned that they woke their master.

Following the cow’s heavy footprints, villager’s tracked down and detained the thief. KOH SANTEPHEAP