Posted on 01/17/2010 7:08:55 AM PST by csvset
The mysterious disappearance of a beloved goat at a popular farm and children's petting zoo in the Berkeley hills is worrying naturalists who suspect a prankster but fear something more fiendish. The 16-year-old goat, affectionately named Honey, vanished overnight on Jan. 7 from the Tilden Little Farm on the north end of Tilden Park and no trace of her has been found since. The friendly, engaging goat, known among breeders as an Oberhasli or "Swiss Alpine," could not have jumped over the 5-foot-high fence herself, so she must have been carried out, said David Zuckerman, the supervising naturalist for Tilden Park. "Somebody had to work pretty hard, first to get in here, then to lift her over the fence and then get out of the park without making any noise," Zuckerman said. "She weighs about 150 pounds, so you'd probably need two people." The case is particularly troubling because Honey is both the oldest and longest tenured animal on the farm, which was established in 1955 and also contains heritage sheep, cows, ducks, geese, turkeys, rabbits, pigs and chickens. Honey is one of nine goats, but she's a favorite among children because she is so affectionate. "She's highly friendly and gentle," Zuckerman said. "She's been here for years. Even if she could get out, she would stay nearby because she wants to be with the other goats." Zuckerman and East Bay Regional Park District investigators think the goat-napping was probably a prank. It has happened before. Some Berkeley High School pranksters stole some chickens once and set up a farm in their classroom. A group of UC Berkeley fraternity pledges were caught several years ago trying to steal a goat. Livestock theft is a felony, so whoever took the goat could be facing some jail time.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
With the Bay Area's "diverse" population, I suspect Honey was consumed.
Maybe he eloped with a local muslim.
Celebrate diversity.
“...could not have jumped over the 5-foot-high fence herself...”
If there’s one thing I have heard from every farmer I’ve ever spoken with, it’s that you can’t build a goat-proof fence.
Hold a good thought for Honey; maybe she’s just taken a walk-about.
I’ve had goat when my ship stopped in Kenya during the Somalia thing in ‘94. VERY tasty!
Name has now been changed to Cabrito.
You been hanging around Oakland lately?
Check the Beehehehehehhhta House!
The poor thing has probably already been turned into bírria by the illegal aliens who stole it.
All the authorities need do is pinpoint the closest mosque.
exactly what i was thinking. The goats husband came for it.
In a strange coincidence, one of my Labs dragged up a partial goat hide a couple of days ago. Same color, too. It was obvious from the condition of the hide that this goat had been skinned. I'm in TN, though. I doubt it's related.....
Be careful. Rabies and other nasties can be contracted via unidentified animal carcasses.
Yeah, I know. Several types of intestinal worms can be transmitted through carcasses. I was burning some brush that day and, much to the displeasure of my Labs, I gave it proper incineration, then washed my hands thoroughly. It was pretty fresh, though. Didn't stink at all and the meaty parts attached to what was left of the hide were still pink.
If any Haitians made it to Berkeley, look for a freshly dug bar-b-cue pit.
Not to scare you or anything, but I do not believe rabies-infected flesh smells any different from other kill.
You might want to check the status of rabies in your area, and take precautions appropriately. There’s a reasonably low-cost inoculation that must be administered within 24 hours of exposure (even to things like saliva).
There is no known cure for the disease, and is almost guaranteed to be fatal.
I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but I am posting this information so that others here who might chance upon it, are kept informed as well.
Yes, I'm aware of that. My point with the smell was more directed at the other "nasties" that might be present.
Theres a reasonably low-cost inoculation that must be administered within 24 hours of exposure (even to things like saliva).
My dogs are vaccinated for rabies and I didn't handle the flesh, only the fur, then disinfected my hands a few minutes later. I doubt this was a rabid animal, anyway. My neighbor raises goats and he sells them to Mexicans and to companies that do medical research. I figure this one was probably sold, killed and cleaned next door and that is where my Lab found it. We do have some incidences of rabies in this area, but mostly it's mostly found in skunks and raccoons. I have seen rabid skunks before a few miles from here, but not lately.
An actual case of kid-napping
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.