A man from Leeds who was forced to hand over his pet geese has been warned about thieves who steal birds and sell them on to be served up as Christmas dinners.
Lonely Leeds bachelor Sven Kirby had to hand over Beep Beep and Norbert, who he bought for £40 each, after their constant hooting resulted in several complaints.
The 34-year-old let the geese waddle around his house wearing nappies and regularly took the pair to the pub with him.
He said: "The prospect of losing them is heartbreaking.
"It almost feels as if social services are taking my children away."
After hearing about Sven's heartwrenching break-up with his beloved birds, another geese owner from Yorkshire has reached out to lend a message of support.
Pat Duggan, from Osmotherley in North Yorkshire, has three pet geese of her own and has said that keeping birds is just as normal as having any other pet, such as a dogs or cats.
"It would be fantastic if the geese are somewhere that Sven can go and visit them," she said.
"Sven's two geese are obviously great pets and I love their names!"
Pat has had geese for several years and told LeedsLive about her two favourites, Beaky Beaky and Blob Blob, who died recently.
"Beaky Beaky was always talking," she said. "Blob Blob looked after him like a brother."
She has also warned other geese owners across the country to remain "vigilant" as thieves are known to steal the white-feathered birds in the run-up to Christmas in order to sell them for dinner on December 25.
"This is a terrible time of year for geese," she said.
"At this time of year we have to be very vigilant as they are vulnerable to thieves to be sold on as Christmas dinners."
In response to Sven's birds being taken away, a Leeds City Council spokesperson said: "We take any issue regarding noise nuisance in our communities extremely seriously and will always investigate any complaints that are made.
"Complaints can range from various forms of antisocial behaviour to the playing of music or loud noise of animals and birds.
"If following an investigation the level of noise is found to be of a consistent and unacceptable level a warning letter will be sent to the householder.
"This can include in some cases the serving of an abatement notice that requires steps to be taken by the householder in a reasonable timescale to reduce the noise.
"If no steps are taken, further action may be taken by the council. Anyone served with an abatement notice can appeal the decision if they wish to do so."
