Family devastated after much-loved farm pets stolen

A family has been left "devastated" after their "much-loved pets" were stolen.

Mandie Pidgley and her family, from Hythe, have cared for animals in a small holding near Lymington for just over a year.

Hampshire Police said it received a report that a pygmy goat, five turkeys, two chickens and six guinea fowl were taken from the Pylewell area sometime after 19:30 BST on Saturday.

Mrs Pidgley said their remaining female goat is "depressed" and may have to be rehomed.

Mrs Pidgley said they first noticed the animals were missing on Sunday morning when they went to feed them and saw the gate to the enclosure was open.

She said they have been searching for them day and night but it is "like looking for a needle in a haystack".

"It is just sickening to think someone can come along and take everything," she added.

Mrs Pidgley said it was always her dream to own pygmy goats and when the space became available the family started to gather their pets.

She said they have now been left with two chickens and one "lonely" female goat called "Coco".

Coco's companion Arlo was taken and his collar was left on the floor in the field.

Mrs Pidgley said: "I'm going to have to make a really difficult decision quite soon.

"If we don't get Arlo back, then Coco may have to be rehomed because goats are not meant to live alone and she's just over there bleating and walking the perimeter fence line all day. It's awful."

Mandie's daughter Grace Pidgley said: "It’s absolutely horrific, we are devastated."

She spoke about how the family are not able to rest until the "much-loved pets" have been found, adding: "Every minute feels like an hour not knowing where they are and if they are safe."

The family and Hampshire police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them.

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