A group of ‘goats’ spotted roaming around Tidworth have turned out to be sheep – as many are rescued and brought to safety.
Around 15 to 20 of the animals are believed to have been loose in the area, prompting a multi-agency operation over the past week.
Eleven sheep have now been successfully rescued after several days of challenging work, but more are believed to remain loose.
Heron’s Farm Animal Rescue teamed up with the RSPCA Wiltshire Mid Branch, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Council, the Ministry of Defence and local farmers to secure the sheep.
The operation has proved difficult, with the frightened animals scattering across MOD land and proving challenging to catch.
Heron’s Farm Animal Rescue said the animals had been found close to a fast, busy main road out of Tidworth and had repeatedly wandered onto the carriageway.
The organisation stepped in amid concerns for the safety of the sheep and road users.
Eleven are now safe and secure, but caring for them is expected to come at a significant cost.
The animals require food and medical care, while all but one of those rescued are male and will need to be castrated.
Heron’s Farm Animal Rescue previously said it had been quoted approximately £900 to castrate nine of the rams initially brought into its care.
The rescue has also spent more than £100 on fuel while searching for the animals, travelling back and forth to Tidworth and transporting those captured.
Heron’s Farm Animal Rescue said: “We don’t want to close. We don’t want to give up. But without a significant change, I genuinely don’t know how we can continue.”
The organisation says it has helped more than 800 animals in the past two months, including hundreds of former commercial hens, chickens, pigs and sheep.
It says it is now at capacity and needs financial support to continue its work.
It added: “We’ve spent years being the lifeline for animals who had nowhere else to go. Right now, we’re asking you to be ours.”
A GoFundMe appeal has been launched to help cover the cost of the sheep’s care, alongside feed, fuel, fencing, shelters and other costs faced by the rescue. Donate now >
