LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Two northeast Kansas men said they've been hit by a rash of goat kidnappings lately.

Bob Throop and Jeff Hill raise goats in southwestern Leavenworth County, not far from Lawrence. Throop and Hill said they've lost 25 kids, or baby goats, in the past five weeks.

"And it was only the newborns. And it was just like clockwork. So, then we're, like, 'OK, that ain't right. Something is definitely going on here,'" Hill told KMBC's Martin Augustine.

Hill and Throop said they're certain the goats aren't being snatched and eaten by coyotes, bobcats or other four-legged predators; rather, they suspect the culprits are people who are hand-feeding the kids while they await slaughter for some sort of religious rite.

This is the time of year when young goats are part of religious meals and celebrations in various religions, Augustine reported.

Hill said he believes someone located the goat farm and started taking the kids to be sold for $40 or $50 each.

He said they plan on increasing security to prevent further kidnappings.