Pygmy goats and chickens stolen from New Forest family

For more than a year, Mandie Pidgley, 49, has been raising goats, turkeys, chickens and guineafowl with her husband, grandson, friends and family.

On Saturday night (September 28) the family were shocked to find thieves had broken into a shed to get into their field in the Pylewell area, breaking a lock in the process.

A pygmy goat, five turkeys, two chickens and six guinea fowl were taken by the barnyard bandits, leaving Mandie's seven-year-old grandson in tears.

Goats Coco and Arlo (Image: Submitted) She said: “Even I cried when I found out what happened – its just a passion project for our friend’s family.

“We were just so shocked as the field is extremely large and very secluded. My grandson was crying in bed that night after the incident.

“It just horrible that someone would do something like this."

Mandie said Coco, her remaining pygmy goat, has been traumatised by the incident.

“Goats need to be in pairs – Coco has not been the same since her pen pal Arlo was taken," she said.

Mandie is the owner of New Forest Funerals and hopes that, as a longstanding and well-known member of the community, the public might help her get the animals back.   

The culprits also left a pair of gardening gloves at the scene.

The field is in the Pylewell area of the New Forest (Image: Submitted) She added: “We are so worried about them. If you see any of these animals, please get in touch with police.”

A spokesperson for Hampshire police said: “We are investigating after a number of animals were reported stolen from a field in the Pylewell area of the New Forest.

“The incident took place sometime after 7.30pm on Saturday evening, September 28.

“A male pygmy goat, five turkeys (three male and two female), two chickens and six guinea fowl have all been reported stolen.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44240424520.”