Goats on the rampage again...

Three goats put behind bars for damaging police vehicle

The Western trend of charging pet owners for the misbehaviour of their animals seems to have entered the third world. The Kilpauk police have filed a complaint against a woman whose three goats reportedly damaged a police patrol vehicle.

Police usually park their patrol vehicles outside G3 Kilpauk police station on Poonamallee High Road, near large trees where goats graze.

Police said the goats had a record of damaging vehicles of residents and shopkeepers. The goats "crossed the line" recently, said an officer, when they damaged the station's new patrol vehicle. "We got the vehicle two days ago," said an officer on duty.

According to the complaint, about 12 goats dented the vehicle and climbed on top of it, "damaging the wipers and glass, and scratching the paint of the bonnet and body".

When policemen went searching for the vandals, they found only three goats. "We took the animals to the station and made enquiries about the owner," said the officer. The goats belong to Mary.

Mary will now have to claim ownership of the goats for police to convert the complaint into a first information report (FIR). Police plan to charge the woman under Section 289 (negligent conduct with respect to animal) of the IPC.

Animal activists say police should be charged for violation of the City Police Act and Municipal Corporation Act of 1919 which bans cattle in city limits. "When police saw the goats, they should have handed them over to NGOs like the civic body does," said Dawn Williams, general manager of the Blue Cross.

SPCA inspector P Srinivasalu said the goats have been put in a cage. "They weigh around 15kg which is healthy and are fed twice a day," he said. "They seem healthier and happier after coming here," he says.