Police officers in Wiltshire were forced to deploy riot shields in an unusual operation to capture a goat that went on a rampage through a quiet village. The incident unfolded in Upper Seagry, near Chippenham, after the animal targeted a festive decoration.
The Festive Chase in Upper Seagry
The chaotic scene began when the goat, described as a buck, attempted to eat oranges from a Christmas wreath on a property. This led the animal to chase a woman around the village, prompting a call to the authorities. Wiltshire Police responded swiftly, with PC Ferris and PC Miller from Chippenham Response attending the scene on Thursday.
Faced with a determined and butting animal, the officers employed unconventional tactics. They used riot shields for protection and a lasso in an attempt to secure the goat. Body-worn camera footage from the incident captured one officer remarking, "Apparently it's not very nice. We've got it on a tow line, we've got some riot shields because he's trying to butt my head."
A Determined Escape Attempt
The capture was not straightforward. While in police custody awaiting return to its owner, the curious goat tried to eat safety equipment from the back of an officer's car. Furthermore, the animal managed to briefly slip free from the lasso before being successfully recaptured. The police spokesperson confirmed the officers "swiftly responded, controlled the situation and returned the goat to his owner."
The Surprising Intelligence of Goats
This incident highlights the resourcefulness of goats, which research suggests are among the smartest domesticated livestock. A study led by experts from the University of Aberystwyth compared the cognitive abilities of goats, sheep, and alpacas. The animals were tested on their understanding of object permanence—the knowledge that an object exists even when hidden—a skill useful for tracking herd members or predators.
In tests where food rewards were hidden under cups, goats demonstrated the greatest success, even as tasks became more complex with cups being swapped. Sheep and alpacas struggled with the more complicated challenges. The findings were published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science.
Lead author Megan Quail suggested this cognitive edge could be linked to goats' need for selective eating habits and greater environmental awareness. "The ability to track other goats or predators may be a useful adaptation when navigating areas of dense vegetation whilst foraging," Quail said. In a separate spatial memory test involving buckets of food, goats again outperformed the other animals.
This scientific insight perhaps explains the tenacity and problem-solving ability displayed by the goat in Upper Seagry, who proved a formidable match for local police before its safe return home.
