AN EMACIATED goat too weak to stand had to be put to sleep after being found dumped on remote moorland.

The brown Anglo Nubian cross was discovered emaciated on Currymoor Drove in North Curry, near Taunton in Somerset on August 27.

The RSPCA was called for help after a member of the public manage to catch the goat he had seen wandering on the moor for several days, and is now appealing for information.

Deputy chief inspector Tony Frow said: “This poor goat was in such a sorry state.

"She was incredibly thin and had collapsed. She didn’t have the energy to stand up.

“I believe this poor goat had been deliberately abandoned as her ear tags had been removed - possibly to stop anyone from tracing her owner, and she was at a remote location.

“I don’t think she would have got this thin within a few days so she’s either been dumped a while ago or she was very thin when she was abandoned.

“Goats are vocal animals who should live in herds. It’s heartbreaking to think she had been wandering the moor in this state, alone and bleating.”

A specialist farm animal vet was called to examine the goat, who was coughing up mucus.

He gave her a body score of just one out of five and decided she was in such a poor way she would not be able to recover and it was kindest to put her to sleep to stop her suffering further.

DCI Frow said: “I really want to hear from anyone who knows how this goat ended up wandering about on the moor.

"She was near the Currymoor Drove Tilting Weir.

“She was probably brought there in a vehicle and it may have taken more than one person to transport her.”

Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA appeal line 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for DCI Frow.

To help the RSPCA investigate cases like this text HELP to 78866 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message)