An animal breeder has appealed for the safe return of two of her baby pygmy goats which have been stolen from her property.

Michelle Keeley, who works at a vet surgery in Petts Wood, has raised and bred show-quality goats for five years, and currently keeps 21 goats in a field in Halstead.

On Sunday (April 22), neighbours of the field reported they had stopped "a masked man" from stealing a goat called Georgia, before he jumped on the back of a car and drove off at speed the night before.

When Michelle went to check on the goats, she found that two kids, Benjamin and Belinda – the offspring of the mother – were missing.

Ms Keeley is concerned for the welfare of the kids, who are just six weeks old and still nursing from their mother.

She said: “They will dehydrate if they don’t feed soon and will become weak. They have already been missing for 36 hours.”

She added that, at this young age, the pygmies are unlikely to take solid food or bottles, which puts them in a vulnerable position.

Michelle is also concerned for the welfare of the 19 goats she has left on the field, after neighbours reported seeing a white van lingering on the road a few days before the goats went missing.

“It’s a dead end so no one has any reason to go up there unless they live there or are causing trouble.

“[The goats] are not safe where they are. We think they are going to come back for the mother.”

Michelle has reported the suspected theft to the police and has appealed to anyone who sees the goats to contact police.

She added that, without their official paperwork, the pygmy goats are not worth any money, so she hopes they will be returned soon.

A spokeswoman from Met Police said: "Police were called at 22:02hrs on Saturday, 21 April to reports of two six-week-old goats stolen from their pen at an address [in Halstead].

"It is believed the kids were stolen by two masked suspects at about 21:55hrs. The thieves were disturbed by the victim before making-off in a white Peugeot 307 in the direction of the A21.

"No arrests have been made. Enquiries continue.

"Anyone with information is asked to call Bromley police on 101 quoting reference number 8291/21APR or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Since the kids were reported missing, Michelle's local pub, The Cock Inn in Halstead, has offered a £500 reward for the goats' safe return.