Shamefaced crooks have returned a pair of days-old lambs which were stolen from a rural Aberdeenshire croft, the Press and Journal can reveal.
The pets, named Phyllis and Hilda, were snatched from a shed at their owners’ home, on the outskirts of New Deer, three weeks ago.
It was feared that the youngsters, which were still being bottle fed, would not survive for long without the right food and attention.
Now the adorable pair have been reunited with owners Alec and Loraine Allan, after their captors seemingly had a change of heart.
It followed an appeal for their safe return in the pages of the P&J.
Thieves dropped off the lambs outside their home at Culsh on Sunday afternoon before speeding off before anyone could get a good look at them.
The animals were said to be healthy, but hungry.
Mrs Allan, 50, said last night: “I thought we would never see them again. I’d given up hope.
“Alec had just come off the phone with the police asking if there had been any progress.
“Then our dogs started barking. We looked out and saw a dark coloured Cherokee at the top of our drive.”
The vehicle slowed to a halt and the Allans presumed the drier was simply lost and trying to make a U-turn in their driveway.
“Then the back door opened and something white came out,” said Mrs Allen. “I thought it was someone taking their dog for a walk.
“Then a woman came out of the car. She went to the back and took out another white thing. I thought: That’s our lambs.”
She said: “Alec went haring after them, shouting for them to stop, but they sped away before we could get their details.”
Housewife, Mrs Allan said the lambs were a bit bloated, but relatively healthy. “Obviously, the diet wasn’t agreeing with them, but we’ll be able to feed them up in next to no time.”
The couple have had pet lambs every year for the last four years, but have never had any problems with rustlers before.
Phyllis has a distinctive “55” marking in green paint on the left side of her body and has a dot on her forehead. Hilda is pure white, with a wavy and curly fleece.
“Whoever took them maybe had a change of heart,” said Mrs Allan. “Or maybe they knew the heat was on and they would be found out soon enough.
“We’d just like to thank everyone who has been in touch and offered help since this happened.”
Police said inquiries into the theft were ongoing and urged anyone with information to get in touch. They said they had been overwhelmed by support following a public appeal earlier this month.