Tom the goose has resigned himself to a lonely Christmas – after his three companions were stolen by callous thieves.
His owner tycoon bookie Selwyn Demmy says his animal sanctuary at Hunter’s Moon in Mottram St Andrew was raided three times in as many nights.
They took white farmhouse geese Gerty, Gerry and Tilly leaving poor Tom to fend for himself.
Mr Demmy, 80, has ruled out a fox or mink as the culprit and is blaming the rising cost of geese this Christmas.
He said: “If another animal takes a goose there is a fight or something is left behind, at least feathers.
“I was suspicious after the first night but by the third I knew it was someone taking them.
“I think it’s somebody who wanted goose for dinner, they are very expensive this year – and popular at the dinner table.”
The four geese came to Mr Demmy after their former home at a pub closed down and got on well with his family of ducks.
He added: “They were saved from the market which makes it even sadder that they are probably destined for somebody’s table.
“It’s just cruel for an animal to be saved and left to live life in peace and for that to be taken away.
“If anybody knows of any geese that need homing, I’d love to hear from you – ideally it would be a female to keep Tom company.”
