A few days after the burglary of his farm, in Mieussy (F), Arnaud Deransy still struggles to believe it. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, this farmer from Haute-Savoie had a freezer containing nearly 2,400 snails prepared as croquilles bourguignonnes (shell-shaped biscuits) stolen. “I raised them, I spent hours preparing them. The hardest part is all this wasted time. That represents more than 50 hours of work. It’s frustrating!” Not to mention the deadweight loss. “There were 2,500 euros worth of products, plus the freezer taken away, or 3,000 euros in total.” As the holidays approach, it’s a hard blow, report several French media.
After filing a complaint, the breeder published a Facebook post to alert the population, in the event that “we try to sell his snails”. A communication which sparked a wave of solidarity. “My phone won’t stop ringing. It’s amazing how much people care about this story. I have fewer snails, but I come out stronger.”
Monday morning, an online prize pool was launched to help l’Escargotière d’Arno, located around thirty kilometers from Geneva. “It was a friend who came up with the idea. I am very touched. When you have a big blow, it feels good.” Some 750 euros had already been collected by the end of the afternoon.
However, this money will not bring back its snails. “The problem is time. I’m overbooked and so is the lab I rent. There, I am counting my snails. Fortunately, I still have something to do and I will be able to go and cook some this week, one evening between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. It’s my only window of opportunity and the only way to ensure my command.”
For him, this theft can only be the work of thugs. “I pity these people who end up stealing snails.” Especially since the farmer does not understand the process. “It’s impossible to sell such a large quantity in a market between now and Christmas. I don’t see what they are going to do with it, unless they have planned a very big party,” jokes the breeder, who keeps smiling despite the situation.
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