Goat arrested for eating plants in judge's garden

Don't kid around in a judge's garden.

That's the lesson learned by a man in central India after he - and his goat - were arrested for repeatedly damaging a senior bureaucrat's garden.

Police in Chhattisgarh state sprang into action, registering a case against the animal and its owner, Abdul Hassan, after it chewed up the district magistrate's flowers.

They were later released on bail but face initial charges of causing mischief and damage to property, said officer Ram Sewak Paikra from Janakpur town in Korea district.

"The goat and the owner were under police custody and are out, as both the sections 427 and 447 of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) are bailable offences," Mr Paikra said.

The goat's owner, Abdul Hassan, has admitted his animal damaged the local official's garden.  

He said the goat, called Babli, was allegedly a "repeat offender" in Janakpur town, 211 miles north of state capital Raipur.

Assistant sub-inspector R Srivastav added: "The goat's owner has been told several times by the judge's representative not to let the animal graze on other people's lawns.

"An investigation is on and the goat has been arrested."

After the complaint, the owner of the goat, Abdul Hasan, was also arrested for the alleged crime," the officer said.

Mr Hassan has reportedly admitted the goat's guilt and promised he would prevent it damaging the garden again.

"My goat has been brought to the police station. It ate up the flowers and vegetables on the lawn of the judge," he said, according to Sky News.