May 21, 2008
A boxer dog called Billy has become an unlikely surrogate father to a kid goat at an animal centre in Devon.
Big hearted Billy formed a strong bond with abandoned kid Lily at Pennywell Farm, near Buckfastleigh, where they have become a popular attraction.
As the runt of triplets, Lily was abandoned by her mother because nanny goats can usually only care for two kids at a time.
Farm workers Katherine Tozer stepped in to hand rear Lilly, but her pet dog Billy made it obvious he was eager to get in on the parental action.
It soon became clear the Billy was happy to adopt Lilly as his own, and he now looks after her by licking and cleaning her and keeping a close eye on her.
Equally, Lilly seems just as happy to have Billy as her role model.
The pair has now attracted quite a crowd at the animal centre and staff there are keen to see how their relationship will develop as Lilly grows up.
