Crime & Safety

First Pig Roundup, Now Goat Roping for Police

Police in a Michigan community say they've moved the animal control division to the top speed dial after pig, and now a goat, abandoned.

This composite shows developments Thursday after a goat was discovered the old Shelby Township police department parking lot through its rescue by Macomb County animal control officials. (Photos via Facebook)

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Something fishy seems to be going on in Shelby Township.

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A few weeks ago, township police had to throw a pig in the pokey after it ran amuck in the neighborhood, frightening a woman as she did yard work. The pig mucked up the police car pretty well, too.

Then on Thursday, something else happened that got authorities’ collective goat: An actual goat was found abandoned in the parking lot of the old police station.

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The goat roping “went much more smoothly than the last ‘farm animal in custody,’ ” police said in a light-hearted post on Facebook. “We are learning. If anyone is missing a goat, by the way, she is now with the fine folks at Macomb County Animal Control, (which) has now moved to Position 1 on our speed dial.”

Also on Patch:

The influx of farm animals in urban Shelby Township is both amusing and confusing to some people following the developments on Facebook.

“You GOAT to be kidding me, right?” posted Christopher Loeffler.

“Would I KID you?” the police department responded.

Jokes aside, others wondered why Shelby Township has suddenly developed a farm animal control problem.

“Do we even have any farms in Shelby Township?” Isa Smith wondered. “Where are these animals coming from?”

Sherry Briggs weighed in with a helpful suggestion: “You guys will need to build a barn soon if this keeps up!”

“Aw, the pig needed a friend,” Tina Schwab Berry suggested.

“Maybe we can have our own zoo,” Dorothy Sarrach added.

The incidents are even working as a public relations tool for police.

Enricho Guelfo Glylapian said he wouldn’t mind hanging out with the police. “If I come over, can I get arrested without actually doing anything bad?” he asked.

“Thanks, Enrico,” the police department replied. “We would love to hang out with you, too – without all the paperwork!”

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