NASHVILLE, Mich. — Six baby goats are back at a Barry County farm after being taken from their pens.
The Barry County Sheriff’s Department says early Monday morning four teenagers stole the goats at Moo-Ville Creamery in Nashville.
“My heart just sank,” said Lindsey Westendorp.
Westendorp runs the petting zoo at Moo-Ville and takes care of goats and other animals.
“They’re playful and fun and people really enjoy coming to see them,” said Westendorp.
Westendorp says she first realized what happened when she went to feed the goats breakfast then reviewed surveillance video and saw the teens jumping into the pens.
“Just to see that someone would come and take them, my heart just completely broke,” said Westendorp. “I’ve raised not only these goats, but also their mothers, and I’ve taken care of them and I bottle fed them.”
According to Westendorp, goats between one and two months old can get sick easily, so she posted to Facebook and asked for the animals to be returned.
“I have to believe in people,” said Westendorp.
Luckily that happened.
Police say the teenagers returned the goats Monday evening.
Westenderp credits the department and the community’s response to Moo-Ville’s post. She says Moo-Ville is not pressing charges because all her family wanted was for their goats to be back, safe and sound.
“Everybody makes mistakes and has errors in judgement but it’s really important that you recognize that and do the right thing,” said Westendorp.
