Facebook campaign after goat killed

More than 1000 people have signed up to a Facebook campaign demanding justice for a goat slaughtered in his paddock at a Shropshire pub.

The Justice for Steve the Goat campaign, set up following the attack on the billy goat at the Brewery Inn, Coalport, stands at 1,092 members.

Landlord Roger Hotchkiss said the reward fund to catch Steve's killers is continuing to grow with donations, but if no-one is convicted of the attack, the cash will be donated to the animal sanctuary Steve was adopted from.

Steve was killed after attackers cut fences to get into his paddock opposite the pub where he was kept with his companion Maureen and their kid Baby GaGa between July 13 and 14.

His throat was slit and his body disemboweled in nearby woodland before his body was taken away.

Mr Hotchkiss said people from all over the country had been venting their feelings about the attackers on the site.

"The number of people joining the group is growing daily," he said.

"The aim is to get information about who killed Steve and also raise awareness of animal cruelty. People have been coming forward to the police with information and we hope that someone may get convicted for this.

"If they don't the money we are raising for a donation will go to Creature Comforts in Caersws where we got Steve from."

People have also been leaving messages about the killing on shropshirestar.com.

Alan wrote: "Steve has given so much happiness to the families whose children have enjoyed seeing him.

"How can anyone do such a terrible thing?"