Courtesy of Danielle Langloism, Wikipedia CCLAnimal Abuse
I keep finding stories about goats being abused and neglected and it’s disturbing. Not only because I love animals but because what does it say about society when such things become commonplace?
There’s a guy in Montana that allowed hundreds of goats to starve to death. Some weirdo in NC was lurking naked around a goat barn and was ultimately apprehended. A similar case took place in FL where, grossly enough, such things aren’t really illegal. There are those who beat goats, tie them in unsafe areas under unsafe conditions, starve them, over breed them until they succumb to disease or die, allow them to be ravaged by illness and for what purpose?
I’ve lived in economically challenged areas. Places where people run short of hay or feed and aren’t sure how they’ll feed the animals they raise and rely on in turn to feed their families. Neighbors help or animals are sold off until times improve, but I have never come across a first hand blatant case of goat abuse. I’m a fierce proponent of thoughtful handling of livestock and Temple Grandin is one of my heroes. I threw a massive (and loud) fit at a local livestock auction some years back over the handling of some cattle and that was over the use of a stick, not long term, ongoing torture.
Yet I keep seeing it in the news. The creeps who killed the goat in CA. Why? What possible gratification can a person derive through the torture of a defenseless animal? Yes, goats have horns and some can be formidable, but against an armed human, they are largely defenseless.
What I fear is that something has gone terribly wrong in our society when people take it for granted that animals will be abused or neglected to the point of death and it’s scary. It’s very scary.
You won’t see a lot of these stories here at ATG. Not because we’re pretending it doesn’t happen but because we celebrate goats her:, the work they do, their contribution to the world and the people who tend them. What we don’t do is glamorize humiliation, pain and suffering, unless of course it’s happening to the abusers.
- Naimhe
Hello, I agree that something has gone terribly wrong with society. I have three goats that are rescues. One was rescued wandering around Downtown Jacksoville, Fl. She was about 3 months at the time of her rescue. It was obvious that someone had her in a kennel because she had sailor legs. The must have released her into the city when they realized she was to big for the kennel and was developing horns. I think they had her for kids to pet and did not think about her future past being a cute baby. She is blind in one eye from an eye infection that whomever had her neglected. From being in a kennel she had to learn how to be a goat. It took me 2 months teaching her and she now jumps around and plays like a goat should. The other two I have were rescued from a center that they along with 100 hundred others were taken to because the owner had them all in a small pen and they were starving. They are all three in excellent health now and the Vet finally gave them the thumbs up and I now only have to take in stool samples till their yearly checkup. My husband and I love them so much. They bring us great joy in loving us back and with all their antics. It has been our pleasure providing our goats with a loving enviroment and bringing them back to good health.