THE owners of three baby pygmy goats, which were stolen from a North Yorkshire tourist attraction, say the animals could die unless returned to their mother soon.

Snowy, Maizy and Billy were born a month ago at the Easingwold Maize Maze and have proved massively popular with visiting children. However, after the attraction closed on Sunday, for the final time this season, the thieves struck after climbing into a fenced enclosure some time between then and Monday morning.

Alex Jones, the maze’s commercial manager, said: “They are still feeding from their mother; they haven’t been weaned.

“If they aren’t fed milk they will die, but they are only used to having their mother’s milk. The mother is going crazy – she is extremely distressed and that’s the worst thing.”

Mrs Jones said the three stolen goats have no holding number and are therefore worth nothing on the open market. She said the animals may have simply been taken to sell on as pets because they are so cute.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “This is a thoughtless crime which has put the baby goats’ lives in danger. They cannot survive without being fed by their mother and they will be extremely hungry by now.

“We are appealing to whoever took the goats to return them to their owner as soon as possible so they can be cared for in the correct environment.

“Anyone who knows who took the goats, or has any information that can help locate them, is urged to contact the police or Crimestoppers as soon as possible.”

Anyone who can help the police with their inquiries is urged to phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247, quoting reference number 12110150604.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.