BELLE the pygmy goat is home safe and sound after being “kidnapped” in the middle of the night from a smallholding in Saddleworth.

She was snatched from a field where electric wires were cut where owner and vet nurse Julie Swindells keeps her animals before turning up 25 miles away at a Metrolink tram stop in Sale.

Julie, 47, who lives in Mossley is now planning to install CCTV at the farm where she keeps her goats and horses.

And she thanks Facebook users for sending out the alert which may have prompted the perpetrators who stole her to set her free.

Belle was recovered by charity Dogs 4 Rescue in Salford after it was called by a member of the public.

Julie later collected Belle the rescue centre and she has now been reunited with her brother Jingle.

“I so happy to have her back and I’m very grateful to the people who sent out the alert on Facebook, which may have been the reason why whoever stole her then abandoned her.

“Goats are not really animals which should be thought of as domestic pets. They are best left in a natural environment.

“They are also highly susceptible to shock, and can die from stomach upsets within a couple of hours if they are unduly upset.

“To be honest, I thought I might never see Bell again, so I was so relieved when she was found.”