A goat which turned up at a Metrolink depot on a busy weekday morning has been given a temporary home at an animal sanctuary in Bury.
The Pygmy goat, who has since been appropriately named Thomas, was discovered by workers at Metrolink's Queens Road depot in Cheetham Hill on Monday morning (January 16).
Staff at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary, based on Bury Old Road in Ramsbottom, were called by Metrolink staff to help rescue the animal and have since taken him in until an owner comes forward.
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“We got a phone call from Manchester Metrolink saying there was a goat on the tracks, which was stopping the trams,” Peter Hesketh, Head of Farm Section at Bleakholt, said.
“They took it to their depot and it was a cold day so he needed to be inside so we collected him. He has been used to people and he is quite tame but he is old and has a limp on one of his legs.
“No one has yet come forward for him but he is warm and safe here, we have put a coat on him and he will get medical help. It’s been suggested to call him Thomas because of being found on the tracks.”
Peter said he hoped an owner would come forward but the sanctuary, which has a stables and farm for more than 1,300 animals, would continue to look after Thomas if not.
“Goats are legally required to have ear tags but this has been ripped off,” Peter added. “If no one claims him we will settle him in here."
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) said no Metrolink services were disrupted by the goat, which turned up at the Queens Road depot. Some onsite works were set back by an hour while the depot's site team looked after the goat and made contact with Bleakholt.
A TfGM spokesperson said: “We thought they were kid-ding, but we can confirm that the team at Metrolink’s Queens Road depot dealt with a loose goat who butted in while some works were being carried out on Monday
“Luckily the goat’s ram-page only delayed onsite operations by an hour, and there was no impact on Metrolink services. We’re glad that the goat has been taken in by the sanctuary and we hope he’s reunited with his owner soon.”
If anyone believes Thomas is their goat, they can email farm@bleakholt.org with proof of ownership.
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