Scapegoating?

An extreme leftist group has admitted to the theft of the far-right SVP’s favourite pet, a goat named "Zottel", and have now threatened to kill their hircine hostage.

The left-wing group known as Anti-fascist Action claimed responsibility for the kidnapping in a statement posted on the internet.

“Now we also have a scapegoat”, the group said in a sarcastic letter published on Saturday morning.

The statement continued to explain that some group members paid a visit to the home of MP Ems Schibli and took Zottel.

Anti-fascist Action have not however made public any demands or demanded any ransom.

Schibli found out on Saturday morning when he went to feed the animal that, together with another goat called Mimo, was no longer there.

He reported the theft to police and said that it is not the first time that the SVP's mascot has been targetted, revealing that he received a letter last summer addressed to the “fascist goat Zottel” in which the animal’s life was threatened.

Zurich police say they’re investigating several leads but have found no new clues as to where the goat could be.

Zottel, who is 10-years-old, became the mascot of the SVP in the 2007 elections. The party felt the goat brought it good luck in the results, so it became the pet charm again this year.

Zottel has since appeared in several events during the campaign, and the SVP was planning to parade the farmyard animal on further occasions before the country's goes to the polls on October 23rd.

In a public statement, the SVP said it was “dismayed” by the theft of Zottel and asked the people who stole both goats to “return them immediately” to Schibli.

According to other media, the goats are returned, and unharmed.