'It's devastating': Kent villagers issue plea for return of 'stolen' goose nicknamed Gandalf
Feathers have been ruffled in a Kent village after a goose nicknamed Gandalf was allegedly stolen in broad daylight, leaving behind his companion 'Ryan Gosling'.
A witness reportedly saw a driver bundle the goose into the back of a black estate car, prompting fury from the local community.
For two years the birds, Ryan and Gandalf, have been living on Basted Millpond, near Borough Green.
But last week a passer by claimed to have seen a motorist snatch the bird and drive away.
A resident from a nearby village, Jane Sewell-Watts, said she was shocked anyone would do this to a bird.
She said: "It's a community area, people enjoy local wildlife. You know the geese have been there regularly.
"They have provided a lot of happiness to people with their mental health and now this. It's devastating."
Ms Sewell-Watts hopes the bird is unharmed and has begged the thieves to return it.
Jane Sewell-Watts, resident
Benjamin McConnachie, landlord of The Plough at Basted, is offering a £400 reward for information leading to the conviction of the "low-lifes" alleged to have stolen the bird.
He said: "People are so upset, kids, mothers, grandparents.
"The way we look at it, it was their pond, they were residents, it was their pond, that was their home."
"We've actually now set up a group, a trust fund to protect the geese."
Benjamin McConnachie, landlord of The Plough
It's thought that Gandalf may originally have been released by someone who could no longer look after him, and a couple from nearby bought him Ryan as a companion.
Geese are sociable animals and the concerned residents have since travelled some distance to purchase a new companion for the remaining bird - already nicknamed - 'Gengoose Khan'.
A spokesman for Kent Police said: "Inquiries are under way to establish the circumstances in line with offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981."
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