A decapitated baby goat posed into a sitting position with its head placed atop its body was found Sunday in an east Athens park, according to an Athens-Clarke County police report.
A young man who was walking through Dudley Park spotted the slain animal on the bank of a creek beneath a pedestrian bridge, according to the report.
The head was cut off from below the jaw line, and “the neck wound was cleanly cut and devoid of blood,” according to the police report.
An officer who examined the goat observed where the goat’s white fur was stained with blood that apparently was washed off, as evidenced by hair that was matted from being wet, according to the report.
It also appeared the goat was not in the park for an extended period of time, as decomposition had not yet begun, according to the report.
Police believe the animal was killed and decapitated elsewhere before being brought to the park.
The body of the young goat, estimated to weigh about 30 pounds, was removed by Athens-Clarke County Animal Control.
Lt. Mike Tyndell, commanding officer of the Athens-Clarke County police Robbery Homicide Unit, said that the goat's death was not being investigated as a criminal matter, and that the case was referred to Athens-Clarke County Animal Control as a possible cruelty case.
“There are no leads to follow at this time. There has not been any reports or information to suggest where the goat may have come from,” Tyndell said. “Of course, if information develops we will look into it.”
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