Chance spot on Facebook reunites goats with owner

Two stolen pygmy goats have been returned to their owners after turning up 200 miles away from their home.

Nanny McPhee and Raven, along with two others from the herd of 14, were snatched from a livery yard in Oakenshaw, near Bradford, in October 2023.

Despite gates being closed and locked, Millie McKenzie, who runs Bridgefield Stables, discovered the four goats were missing the next morning.

The two animals were actually found in Kirkburn, East Yorkshire, six months ago - but were only recognised in July from a Facebook post.

In the meantime they had been living in a rescue centre, but the RSPCA had not realised they were stolen.

Miss McKenzie said: "We joined every possible animal group online to try to find the goats but there was no news."

The RSPCA had found the abandoned goats wandering on a road in Driffield on 14 January, and they were cared for at a private sanctuary before being moved to Millbrook Animal Centre in Surrey in April with staff "none the wiser".

It was not until 17 July that a teenage girl who regularly visited the stables spotted a rehoming appeal for Nanny McPhee and Raven on the RSPCA's social media channels and "instantly" recognised them.

They were collected by Miss McKenzie and her family three days later and are now back in Oakenshaw.

She added: "It’s so amazing to have Nanny McPhee and Raven home where they belong.

"They’ve settled back in happily and have slotted back into their daily routine."

However she said she was "heartbroken" that the other two goats, Nibbles and Nancy, were still missing.

She appealed for help to track them down and reunite the full herd.

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