A FAMILY filmed moving abroad for a TV show have been forced to flee after locals allegedly sent them death threats and killed their pets.
Lynn and Richard Appleby-Brisco left the UK in 2016 for a more “affordable” life in the Guarda district of Portugal with their two daughters.
Kennedy NewsA family were forced to move from their Portugal home after they claim neighbours killed their pets[/caption]
Kennedy NewsTheir dog Cu die aged four after being attacked[/caption]
Kennedy NewsThey believe neighbours began targeting them after the documentary aired[/caption]
The move to a remote village featured in Channel 4’s Our Wildest Dreams – before quickly turning into a nightmare hate campaign against them.
The spiralling “storm of resentment” saw their dog Cu – an estrela mountain cross retriever – die aged four after being attacked.
They claim a local also admitted snatching their cat Ponyo and her kitten Bubbles in January, after their goats were poisoned.
It was so bad that when I would go down to the farm I would carry a knife with me, and I consider myself a pacifist
Lynn Appleby-Brisco
Lynn, 51, accuses a villager of threatening “we’ve taken your pets and you’re next” when confronted about the mystery deaths.
She said: “I just couldn’t take it anymore, and it was my absolute lowest point.
“I was scared to be in the house on my own so I would hang around the biggest local town all day to feel safe.
“It was so bad that when I would go down to the farm I would carry a knife with me, and I consider myself a pacifist.”
The family, from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, believe villagers started deliberately turning their backs to them after their episode aired in 2018.
Harassment included being spat at and called “English pigs” – with rumours that Lynn was a devil-worshipping prostitute spread after they planted flowers outside their house.
They decided “enough was enough” and flew home to the UK in February with a small suitcase containing a change of clothes and pyjamas.
Lynn and her children Emily, 12, and Yvie, 10, are living in a one-bed apartment while Richard, 56, is abroad trying to sell the home and drive back their belongings.
The mum-of-two, who has recently started a new job as a chef, added: “We couldn’t make it work, no matter how hard we tried.
“The worst part in this is that I am so happy to be back in England even though we have literally lost every penny we spent our lives working for but I am constantly afraid to let my guard down.
“You need time away from England to realise just how lucky we are.”
Pals have helped raise £3,700 through a GoFundMe page to help the family get back on their feet.
Channel 4 was approached for comment.
It comes as a family who ditched their posh flat, fast supercars and successful property empire say they “love” living off-grid.
Rob, Amy and adorable little Casper made the life-altering move 50acres off-grid in the Scottish Highlands after tiring of relentless stress.
The dad-of-one had served in the air force before starting his property career in London – where he met wife Amy who was working as a musician.
They realised they both had talent in the real estate industry and teamed up together to buy a block of 18 flats in the capital.
After working tirelessly for 10 years, building and completing construction work themselves, the couple had grown a profitable empire.
“We wanted the business, wealth lifestyle and all the benefits we thought went with that,” said Rob.
Kennedy NewsThe family of four featured in a Channel 4 documentary[/caption]
Kennedy NewsThe family flew home to the UK in February , here Richard is pictured building their Portugal home[/caption]
Kennedy NewsA Go Fund Me page has been set up to help the family get back on their feet[/caption]