Startled Suffolk workers were not kidding around when they alerted RSPCA workers to a small stray goat who greeted them outside their workplace at the weekend.
The little animal left employees at Debach Enterprises in Clopton scratching their heads after it appeared to turn up for work with them at the Woodbridge-based industrial estate on Sunday morning.
One unsuspecting staff member had briefly spotted the animal the day before but she disappeared – so he was surprised to find her waiting outside the doors the following morning.
Concerned for the goat’s welfare, he phoned the RSPCA and inspectors Amy Collingsworth and Craig Plumley were sent to help.
Inspector Collingsworth said: “Getting called out to strange situations is all part of the job as an RSPCA inspector, and this was one of those interesting ones!
“The little goat was found in the middle of the industrial estate so at the moment I know very little about her as she doesn’t have an ID tag.”
Inspectors believe the goat could have escaped from a field.
But they are not dismissing more sinister theories that she may have been abandoned or dumped.
Inspector Collingsworth added: “I’m not ruling out the possibility that she may have been deliberately dumped, but even though there were no houses nearby, there were lots of fields so it’s possible she is an escaped pet and travelled across the fields ending up lost on the estate.
“She took a little while to catch. She clearly wanted to be friendly but was understandably nervous, so I had to call my colleague inspector Plumley for some help catching her.
“She’s very sweet and seems to be in good health and she’s currently being cared for at a special boarding yard while I try to find her owners, and investigate how she came to be lost on the industrial estate.”
If no owner comes forward to claim her over the next week, she will be rehomed.
Anyone who recognises the goat or who has any information about her should call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here