When two dogs attacked Andreas and Anton Jackson's pet goat in the early hours of Saturday, the two boys were devastated.
"Our neighbours heard the noise at 2am Saturday and raced to the aid of Queenie," said the boys' grandmother, Cheryl Jackson.
"Our neighbours had a lot of trouble getting the dogs away, but we're so grateful they did. We're so lucky to have great neighbours who care."
The Jacksons called the vet and although Queenie suffered "massive" injuries around her throat, she's survived.
"This is the second time our goats have been attacked and this time the dogs went for the kill," Mrs Jackson said.
Unaware the Tararua District Council has a 24/7 animal control service, the Jacksons rang the Dannevirke police, who arrived mid-afternoon on Saturday.
"We've now contacted animal control who are looking into the attack," Mrs Jackson said.
District council animal control staff have told the Dannevirke News on-call officers over the weekend responded to the call-out and staff were investigating.
Now the Jacksons are looking for a new home for their beloved goats.
"Andreas and Anton are so upset, so we've all decided we'd like someone on a farm to take both Chocco and Queenie," Mrs Jackson said. "But they've got to stay together because they're so close."
The goats are between 6 and 7 years old and the Jackson family say they're "beautiful and so friendly."