A PENSIONER has spoken of his delight after his three precious goats were returned after being stolen from his garden.

Collin Tate-Lovery, of Crays Hill said the power of social media helped to reunite him with his much-loved pets.

The young pygmy goats, all aged two, were stolen from his home on Monday night and released back into the wild on Tuesday night.

They were numbered one, two and three but their tags were ripped from the animals’ ears and one of the goats was left injured.

The 77-year-old said: “We put it on Facebook about the goats and I think whoever took the goats released them to take the heat off them.

“I think they released them because they knew wouldn’t get away with it.

“I think they didn’t want the hassle. My neighbours spotted them in their garden and called to find out who owned the goats.

“I am absolutely so pleased that the goats are home safe.

“I did not realise Facebook was quite so powerful.

“It really shows how the community comes together when something horrible like this happens.”

Mr Tate-Lovery added: “The family are also so pleased that we’ve got the goats home safe and sound.

“They were very hungry when we got them home.

“One of the goats suffered a cut ear as the tag was ripped out.

“I am angry about this; not only did they steal my goats but they also injured them too.

“It is totally unnecessary to do this but they goats are very happy to home.”

Mr Tate-Lovery believes the thieves used a public footpath behind his home to access the goats.

He discovered the goats had been taken on Tuesday morning when he went out to check on them.

But the animal-lover, who has had the goats for about a year, found the steel gate and chains of the enclosure had been cut through.

He added: “They are personal pets and I take a lot of trouble over my personal pets.

“I was worried about them and how they are being kept and whether they are mistreating them.

“They are like family.”