TEXAS -- Austin animal control officials say two pit bulls attacked and killed six goats being raised as 4H show animals at a Northeast Austin elementary school.
The six dead goats were discovered scattered in their pen Tuesday morning at Pecan Springs Elementary. The two pit bulls were also found in the pen. The dogs are now in isolation at Town Lake Animal Shelter, where they are being registered as "vicious."
It's not exactly known how the dogs entered a gated area that contains the pen. However, a hole at the bottom of a chain link appears wide enough for a dog to squeeze through it.
No children had made it to school at the time the dead goats were noticed.
"This is not common. This is not something that we deal with so it was very shocking news," said Lydia Domaruk of Texas Agrilife Extension, the agency that oversees the school's 4H afterschool program.
Domaruk said the students had been raising the goats since September. The animals were expected to be shown at a contest in January.
"We're going to do our best to move forward to make sure it doesn't happen again and to make sure their kids can participate with the animals in the future," Domaruk said.
[What a heartless troll. No mention at all about sympathy for the little goats, which were terrorized, chased around their pens, forced to watch the other goats being eaten alive by the pit bulls until it was their turn to have their ears torn off and their faces gnawed off before finally dying.
I'm no bunny hugger. I know livestock animals are raised to be slaughtered. I get it. But, I am rigid in my opinion that these animals be treated humanely. No, it wasn't the school's fault. But for God's sake, have a little sympathy for the animals! They had feelings. They suffered horrible deaths. And to teach children that, "Eh, we'll get new goats." minimizes the compassion these children will have for animals as they grow up.]
Each goat will cost about $350 to replace.
The school is preparing a letter about the incident for parents.
(KEYE - Oct 27, 2011)
