A Simpson family is pleading for the return of their beloved pet goats, who were kid-napped from their farm under the cover of night between April 11 and 12.
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Dairy farmers Stacey and Brian Clark rose early Friday morning to carry out the routine milking of their 280 cows on their Lavers Hill-Cobden Road property when they discovered their three goats and a quad bike had been stolen.
"They were there on Thursday night when we went to bed, and then on Friday morning after milking when it got lighter we realised they were gone," Ms Clark said.
"We searched for them everywhere; at first we thought they might have got out, because sometimes they do when we have them tied up on the side of the road.
"But they were in the shed and the gate was locked.
"We found the gate wide open, the bike gone and no trace of the goats anywhere.
"There's no way they could have got out of there on their own."
The quad bike, a red Honda 1420, was stolen from a shed around 50 metres from where the family slept and is worth up to $12,000 new.
"It's quite unsettling, knowing someone has been in the shed which is so close to the house," Ms Clark said.
"How they took the goats I don't know.
"They may have carried them, we're not sure."
The Clarks weren't the only ones to fall victim to opportunistic thieves that night; two other motorbikes were stolen from neighboring properties.
"Someone was on a mission that night," Ms Clark added.
"Police told me that there have been 10 motorbikes taken in the last week.
"They have been targeting dairies close to the road."
The three goats, mum Bonny and siblings Jack and Jill, have been part of the family for six years.
"We can get a new bike, but that won't bring our goats back.
"We just want them back," Ms Clark pleaded.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said it was believed unknown offenders entered the Lavers Hill-Cobden Road property sometime between 11pm on April 11 and 6am on April 12.
"No arrests have been made at this stage and the investigation is ongoing," she said.
"Police are working to determine whether the theft is related to a series of similar incidents, including the theft of six other quad bikes and two motorbikes from properties in the Warrnambool, Koroit, Mortlake and Cobden areas over the past six months.
"Anyone with information or who has noticed any suspicious activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au"
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