Peppa Pig creators sued by Italian woman 'teased' for sharing name with Gabriella Goat

An Italian woman called Gabriella Goat is seeking €100,000 in damages

Mummy Pig, George, Peppa Pig and Daddy Pig in Peppa Pig's house. (REX/Dean Murray)

An Italian woman is suing the British producers of Peppa Pig claiming she was damaged by an episode featuring a baby goat character with the same name.

Gabriella Capra, 40, - whose surname in Italian means ‘goat’ - is asking 100,000 euros (£80,000) in compensation from the animated cartoon makers after claiming she was constantly derided for her association with the show, according to the Italian national foundation of consumers (FNC), who is representing her.

In a 2012 episode of the children’s programme, popular both in the UK and Italy, Peppa and her family are introduced to Gabriella Goat, who bleats and shows her around a village in Italy.

In a statement quoted in the Italian media seen by the Guardian, the FNC said that “ever since this episode of the cartoon came out” and the real Gabriella Capra faced derision, she decided to ask for compensation money which she would donate to a charity.

“Through us, therefore, our member has submitted a request of €100,000 in damages to the English company, and any resulting sum will be entirely donated to voluntary associations looking after abandoned children,” the statement said.

The action comes after Goodfellas actor Frank Sivero launched a $250million lawsuit against the makers of US cartoon The Simpsons, whom he accused of stealing his likeness for the mafioso character Louie.