A PET goose which a Blackburn family bought to act as a deterrent after being plagued by break-ins died after being shot with a pellet gun.

Hamza was bought at Clitheroe Market by the Islam family from Bastwell in 2004 and became a ‘guard goose’ at the family home.

The Islams said they were unable to have a dog as a family pet because of their Muslim religion, but were shocked when complete strangers knocked on their front door and offered them cash in exchange for Hamza who they wanted for Christmas lunch.

A further shock was in store when Hamza turned out to be a female and was renamed Reesha.

But the story didn’t have a happy ending with the goose dying in 2005 after being shot. The family had also to give away its companion which was pining for his missing mate.