ROCKY HILL, Conn. — Could it be that the newest member of the Rocky Hill Police Department is a goat? But not just any goat, rather a breed of goat that’s used much like a police service dog? No disrespect to K9s, but this police patrol critter can climb trees, and, they use their horns to hold on to a suspect, Rocky Hill Patch reported.
The Oberhasli breed goat named Bonnie was donated to the police department by the Hayes Farm in Rocky Hill, an actively operating farm since 1868. The farm has recently begun breeding this goat, police said, in an effort to “bring awareness and expand the use of police patrol goats throughout the region.”
The Rocky Hill police Facebook post announcing the arrival of Bonnie has thousands of views and comments. Naturally, they are “kidding” as their announcement occurred on April Fools Day.
However, it brought a smile to our face, so we thought it was worth sharing with our readers.
Unfortunately this post was indeed an April fools joke. We don’t really have a police patrol goat, although it would be…
Posted by Police Department of Rocky Hill on Thursday, April 1, 2021
Bonnie may be the first police patrol goat, known as a PPG the Facebook post reads, with background on why goats are great at being patrol officers.
“Many people may not know that goats, specifically the Oberhasli breed, have been gaining popularity overseas as the premier patrol animal for many police departments. Goats have proven to be very agile and well known for their ability to climb and balance in precarious places and even have the ability to climb trees! Although goats are not known to be aggressive, when properly trained, they can utilize their keen (sense) of smell to locate evidence, track suspects and even utilize their horns to subdue criminals when necessary.”
Goats are also pretty smart but they’re willing to look for help.
“Goats were first domesticated as livestock more than 10,000 years ago and research conducted to test communication skills found that goats will look to a human for assistance when faced with a challenge, making them the perfect partner for our patrol staff,” the agency noted.
And, they’re easily pleased when it comes to their diet.
“Since goats eat pretty much anything, feeding expenses are expected to be far less than their K-9 counterparts,” according to the department.
Bonnie hits the streets Thursday (April 1). Be safe out there, kid, the Patch exhorted.
