Goats repeatedly attacked and killed; pit bull owner cited

TEXAS -- Residents of Briggs Coleman Road have reported another dog attack that cost them four breeder goats.

Peggy Allen, a farmer who lives outside the city limits, said she and her husband had to bury their breeder goats July 5.

But this time, the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department found the dog owner.

This is the second attack on Allen’s goats. The first attack occurred on June 26 when two goats were killed and three others injured.

“We’re glad they know who the dogs belong to now, but they’re still out there,” Allen said. “They’re still a threat, and I just don’t feel safe at night.”

Allen said a neighbor told them about the attack, which happened two houses away from their home. Her breeder goats were at a neighbor’s house, but she can usually see them from her home.

“We noticed that our dogs were barking in that direction, but they weren’t barking violently. I did not hear (the attack) when I was outside, taking care of the female goats,” Allen said.

Allen said she called 911 at 8:20 a.m. and was instructed to call the county officials. When the deputy arrived, he was able to follow the dog, a black pitbull, to its owner’s home.

The owner, Rogelio Anguiano, was cited for allowing his dogs run loose, according to the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department.

No fine has been set yet, but he should appear in court, Sheriff Omar Lucio said.

“(Allen and her husband) were advised to go before a justice of the peace and pursue damages,” Lucio said.

Allen said she asked a neighbor to take her goats in the meantime, because she was afraid to leave them at her home. Since the previous attack, her goat milk production has decreased.

“Somebody comes to me every day except for Sunday. Now, my production is down to 10 gallons a week, and I can’t meet the customer demand I have,” Allen said. “I had to tell a lady to come back later this week because I only had one gallon for her.”

Allen said she plans to pursue a civil suit against the owner, adding the cost to and her husband has been phenomenal, she said.

“To get more breeder goats of that quality, I’d have to spend over $500 each. I had very good quality goats,” Allen said.

If the dogs attack again, they’d almost certainly be impounded, Lucio said.

[Ooh, they'd "almost certainly" be impounded. Well, that should make everyone in the area feel better that maybe, after they've disemboweled and killed other animals - maybe a person this time - that someone might do something.]

(Valley Morning Star - July 7, 2014)