'Have you lost NINE goats?' Bemused police launch appeal for herd which was found wandering around rural Yorkshire

Police are used to dealing with mysteries of lost or missing people, but it's not every day that they put out an appeal over nine goats.

The animals were reported to North Yorkshire Police after they were found wandering around in the rural hamlet of Thorpe Underwood.

Inquiries in the vicinity didn't reveal where the animals had come from and so police took to social media to put out a plea for help.

Alongside a photo of one of the lost goats, the police appeal asked 'has anybody lost nine goats…?!'

It continued: 'That's not a sentence we ever thought we'd say. But you 'herd' correctly and we 'kid' you not.

'They were in the Thorpe Underwood area, between York and Boroughbridge. They are currently safe and being well cared for. But we want to trace their owner.

'So if you are missing nine goats or know anyone who is, please get in touch.'

The goats turned up in a farming area, but there is little in Thorpe Underwood apart from Queen Ethelburga's College – one of the country's most expensive independent boarding schools.

The missing goat inquiry is being handled by PC David Mackay and it certainly prompted a huge response with over 350 people commented on the police Facebook post.

Needless to say many weren't taking the appeal too seriously. There were offers to take them in and numerous messages of goodwill towards the homeless animals.

Rosanna Parkinson wrote: 'Nice to have a laugh after all the misery about today.'

Judith Bowler commented: 'Guess that means they are not tagged! Big fine if anyone owns up to owning them.'

Pauline Stephenson said: 'Love the pun, but hope they find their way home.'

There were numerous jokey comments from people claiming ownership or suggesting who the owner could be.

While Carol Harrison quipped: 'I thought it was a line out of the 12 days of Christmas. Nine goats a leaping.'

Joy Clarke write: 'Hope their owner gets in touch to claim them. It could be a herd mentality one goes the rest follow.'

While Ian McCulloch quipped: 'I hope you're feeding them goat-meal for breakfast. And make sure he doesn't get his goatee in his bowl!'

The appeal was also put up on the force website.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: 'This certainly isn't a sentence you say every day, but if you're missing nine goats or know anyone who is, we'd love to hear from you.'