Baby Goat Found Hoofing It On Route 53

ROMEOVILLE, IL — A baby goat was found running in oncoming traffic on busy Route 53, but not to fear: Romeoville Animal Control officer Mary Ann Helton and her lasso came to the rescue of the adorable critter. Romeoville police shared photos of the affectionate little kid — believed to be about 9 months old — on Twitter on Monday with the note, "Anyone missing a goat? Yep a goat. We found one in the area of Route 53 and Normantown."

Helton said she was able to catch the goat thanks to teamwork and some help from the staff at the nearby Jiffy Lube, who closed the shop's garage doors to let her capture the little guy.

Helton and the baby pygmy goat made appearances on local TV stations, but for two days, nobody claimed him. In fact, Helton told reporters that if nobody claimed that goat, she'd volunteer to be its new owner. Authorities even checked with Romeoville's White Fence Farm, known for the cuddly critters in its petting zoo —including goats — but no luck.

WBBM said the goat was taken to animal control, where he'd been dubbed "Bennie the Kid" and was eating well.

On Wednesday, however, police issued an update. Giving him a new nickname of "Route 53 Goat," police tweeted that the goat's owner had been located and had been reunited with the animal.

"The little guy escaped from his home in an unincorporated subdivision just out side of town," police said.

Image via Romeoville Police Department