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.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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.

Find out what's happening in Shelby-Uticafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The goat roping β€œwent much more smoothly than the last β€˜farm animal in custody,’ ” police said in a light-hearted post on Facebook. β€œWe 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.

β€œYou GOAT to be kidding me, right?” posted Christopher Loeffler.

β€œWould I KID you?” the police department responded.

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

β€œDo we even have any farms in Shelby Township?” Isa Smith wondered. β€œWhere are these animals coming from?”

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

β€œAw, the pig needed a friend,” Tina Schwab Berry suggested.

β€œMaybe 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. β€œIf I come over, can I get arrested without actually doing anything bad?” he asked.

β€œThanks, Enrico,” the police department replied. β€œWe would love to hang out with you, too – without all the paperwork!”

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