Tracy Agnew/ Suffolk News Herald
Special to The Tidewater News

HOLLAND—A Suffolk family is hoping for justice for their three goats found dead Monday morning.

Jeff Peacock and his son found the three goats — Grievous, Ethel and Bobbie — at the family’s farm in the 7800 block of Quince Road. They had been fine early Saturday when he was at the farm, Peacock said.

“It happened either late Saturday or Sunday,” he said.

Peacock said the animal control officer who responded said the goats had been shot in the head. However, city spokeswoman Diana Klink reported the goats were in an advanced stage of decomposition and a necropsy cannot be performed.

Peacock said one of the goats belonged to his son. The family rescued one from someone who couldn’t handle a pet goat after getting it, and the third the family purchased “so we didn’t have to cut so much in the pasture,” he said. Peacock said the location off Quince Road, where they also keep a donkey, a miniature horse and chickens, is close to the road. People often stop to look at the animals, he said.

“All of them are friendly pets, and you can play with them,” Peacock said, adding his son used to walk his goat on a leash.

The incident is under investigation by animal control. Peacock urged anyone that knows anything to come forward.

“I don’t believe in killing anything just to kill it,” he said. “To me, that’s not very humane. I’d like whoever did it to be caught.”

Anyone who has information is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP or text the keyword SPDVATIP and the tip to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters never have to give their names or appear in court, and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.