[WarescotFarm]

Thank you Vic Farmer,
I have just emailed all Merry Hell to our MP, Kent police, Essex Police, our borough council and kent council too
Calling DEFRA tomorrow - I am a woman on a mission and going to annoy everyone until I get my goat back  , my husband says I am especially good at being annoying 

[jaykay]

am a woman on a mission and going to annoy everyone until I get my goat back  , my husband says I am especially good at being annoying

gotta use the skills you've been given  Good luck for you and Bella

[cuckoo]

Speak to Animal Health division at Essex and Kent councils - the AH Inspectors have right of entry under animal health act (1981) and can take anyone they deem appropriate (ie you) with them - they should be interested as lack of movement forms etc and I dont think they need a warrant unless it is a priate dwelling - which a stable etc is not.
 
Dont just rely on email - telephone your MP, local councillor responsible for policing and animal health (trading standards) ask to speak to an Animal Health Inspector - not just a secretary or call centre - be prepared before you telephone - write all your facts down - is your information regarding the goats whereabouts reliable? Will your source give a statement - if so take them to the police station in person - ask to see the officer in charge of the case.  A bit inhuman but your goat is your property and if stolen then offence under theft act, also possible animal health / welfare offences - transportation, licences etc.  Should be more than enough for them to act on.
 
Good luck and be careful

[Lesley Silvester]

Hope you get her back soon.  You give them all hell until someone does something.

[lachlanandmarcus]

Thank you Vic Farmer,
I have just emailed all Merry Hell to our MP, Kent police, Essex Police, our borough council and kent council too
Calling DEFRA tomorrow - I am a woman on a mission and going to annoy everyone until I get my goat back  , my husband says I am especially good at being annoying 

so pleased you are not giving up - good on you. The trick is to make not doing anything about this disgrace more of a pain in the bum for the unwilling officials (who if it were you or I would be straight in throwing the book)  than the hassle of actually doing something....:-)))
 

[bloomer]

for your email phonecall list local press amazing how fast stuff happens when they get involved!!!

[WarescotFarm]

I am a little worried I may be annoying the travellers 
we don't want any trouble, don't want to prosecute, just want Bella back

[lachlanandmarcus]

Which is why a low key visit armed with fivers is likely to be a lot more productive.
However, if that is tried and doesnt work, the travellers will likely expect you to involve the police. Which may rile them but we cant live our lives in fear and allow their crime to expand and continue un interrupted - the results of that were clear at our local site. If you are concerned I would borrow a large black and tan dog from someone for a bit - thats the one thing they are really scared off and is a real deterrent. ( kind of explains why coming from near our old site I have a Doberman, he's dopey but they were terrified of him).
I just know I couldnt leave an animal of mine there....

[jaykay]

I agree with L&M.

I know it's scary to go yourself but I think that's your most likely route to success. And you'll get less resistance if you go alone or with a girlfriend.

And then, if they won't return her to you for a 'reward' they can only expect you to involve the Police etc. And if you have to take this route, phone calls and personal visits are much harder to ignore than emails.

[Burrwoodfm]

Just a thought, and maybe a silly one, but if they are relatively settled religious travellers, they will have a preferred local church, and you may get a compliant priest/vicar to accompany you.  I would thought that if there is anyone they want to be seen to look good in front, it is the church!   

[plumseverywhere]

I also agree with L&M.
I'm with travellers on a daily basis, our girls went to school where 50% of the children (70 kids) were travellers and most from the site.  I really, really believe that going there is the best course of action as I've said all along.
Yes, you might feel nervous but put aside all the stories of violence you have heard because many of them are self perpetuating myths made worse by those who've never been there but a friends, friends, friends, cousin did once....
Would you like me to speak to the head of our local site to ask his advice? PM me if you would like me to try and guage some info about how the travellers would recommend approaching this situation xx

[countrywoman]

Just checked in hoping to hear some good news - like Bella being back at home. 
 
Keep at it, try everything, beg and plead for assistance wherever you can.  Wishing you the best of luck with this.

[jinglejoys]

If you start paying to get your own goat back just think how hard it will be for the next person who may not have the money

[jaykay]

Yes.

It's maybe a question of do you want your goat back or do you want to reform society.

Personally, I'm happy to reform society as long as none of my family or animals is at risk 

[lachlanandmarcus]

If you start paying to get your own goat back just think how hard it will be for the next person who may not have the money

True but not too likely, goats horses etc cost a fair bit to keep in feed and vet care even as routine. Agree with the principle of not rewarding crime, but it really only becomes necessary when local authorities and police allow no go areas to exist and politicians are too spineless to act. It is their failure which means it may be the only option in this case.