Stolen pygmy goats found abandoned near Uckfield sanctuary

Six-year-old Rae Koc was left heartbroken when the secure enclosure they were kept in was broken into overnight.

But four days later, police have brought them back home after the trio were found abandoned near an animal sanctuary almost ten miles away.

Rae with one of the goats (Image: Honeycomb Farm)

The baby goats - called Jasmine, Primrose and Poppy - were being raised at Honeycomb Farm in Hailsham, run by Rae's dad Paul and mum Antonia, when they were stolen on Sunday night.

The farm launched a social media appeal to bring them home garnering hundreds of shares from fellow farmers and people living in the area.

Days passed and and the family's fear for the goats' health increased - until they had a call from Sussex Police on Thursday to say they had been found outside the Kit Wilson Trust sanctuary near Uckfield.

Paul reunited with the goats (Image: Sussex Police)

The three goats had minor injuries to their ears where the tags had been removed, and were believed to have been left between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on Thursday.

Farmer Paul said: "We’re so pleased they have been returned, it means so much to us and especially my daughter.

“We now want to find out who the culprits are, so this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Read more: Baby goats stolen from family-run farm

An investigation has been launched by Sussex Police’s Rural Crime Team to identify any suspects and this investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who saw anything suspicious, or has any information that could help, is asked to contact police online or via 101, quoting serial 300 of 01/07.

Sergeant Tom Carter, from the Rural Crime Team, said: “This has been an extremely distressing time for this family and we recognise the impact animal theft has on victims.

“That is why we take all reports of this nature extremely seriously, and will investigate all reasonable lines of enquiry.

“If you can help with the investigation, please report it to the police.”