A reward is being offered for the safe return of a baby goat snatched from her home.

The six-month-old pet, named Summer, was stolen from an address in Leywood Road, in Harvel, near Meopham, last Thursday night.

Her owner, Hayley Ellingford, has pleaded for help in finding the much-loved animal.

The 46-year-old said: "She is a family pet and is greatly missed by us all and those in the local area who know the goats.

"We checked the perimeter to see if she escaped by burrowing or damaging the mesh wire but there was no damage at all. She's small so she wouldn't have been able to jump over the fence.

"You can't get into the mentality of someone who would want to steal an animal.

"It's a very different mindset and to be able to click into that, I wouldn't even want to be able to think like that.

"If people have stolen her for money, to sell her, or as a Christmas present, she couldn't have had a better home than with us."

The animal has one white horn and one black horn, with a distinct black mark shaped like a love heart on her front right leg.

Hayley added: "I'm so grateful for everything people are doing to help get Summer back and if it works that would be fantastic.

"The local people have been so helpful. People that don't even know her are doing so much and it is so appreciated.

"She is such a cute goat, and if someone has got her, and still has her, just please bring her home. She can't be more looked after than here.

"I'm not going to ask any questions, I don't want to know why you did it, you have your reasons for doing it, we just want her back."

Hayley contacted the authorities the following day reporting the creature as stolen.

Spokesman for Kent Police, James Walker, said: "Kent Police has received a report that a pygmy goat was stolen from a field in Leywood Road, Meopham, between 5pm and 8pm on Thursday, December 10."

If you have seen Summer, or know anything which may help, call Hayley on 07710 517058.

Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area at the time, or who may have since been offered the animal for sale, can contact Kent Police on 01474 366149 quoting 46/219223/20.

You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111 or complete the online form at crimestoppers-uk.org

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