Family beg for stolen pets return as reward offered

A family searching for its stolen farm pets has offered a reward for the safe return of their animals.

A pygmy goat, five turkeys, two chickens and six guinea fowl were taken from the Pidgley family's small holding near Lymington sometime after 19:30 BST on 28 September.

Mandie Pidgley from Hythe said they "can't rest" until the animals are home.

She said she is particularly worried about the family's goat Arlo, as the animals are not meant to be alone and "his companion Coco is missing him".

Mrs Pidgley added that Coco has become "depressed" and may have to be rehomed if Arlo is not found.

"We are following up every lead, still looking, still hoping we will get them back," she said.

Mrs Pidgley's daughter Grace has appealed directly to those behind the theft.

She said: "Someone has our beloved Arlo.

"I would like to address that person directly and ask, beg, that you return him to us where he belongs.

"I don’t know why you took him, but please now do the right thing and quietly return him, or drop him off somewhere he will be found by the public and returned to us."

"We feel tortured every day, not knowing where he is, if he’s safe and being looked after, why somebody has chosen to take him and we just desperately want him back."

The family are now offering a £500 reward for information that leads to the return of their pets.

Hampshire Police is investigating and has appealed for anyone with information to contact them.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.