Farmer chops goat for eating his crops
ACorporate Area farmer who admitted to chopping a fellow farmer’s Nubian goat, said the animal is among livestock that keep eating his crops. Ian McCarthy, who pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court, also explained that he has always spoken to the complainant, seeking to have the issue resolved.
“Each time I tell him about the goat, him say him ago lick me in my face,” McCarthy shared with the court.
Judge Carlo Mason suggested that the farmers attend mediation to have the matter resolved and asked the complainant if he was interested in receiving compensation for the goat. The complainant said that the goat would cost $80,000. The compensation was made in court on Wednesday, however, the prosecutor requested that the matter be adjourned. This was to allow him time to do research, based on McCarthy’s utterances, that he suffered a loss of $119,000 in yams and sweet potatoes because of the complainant’s goats.
“Your Honour, I have video of the goat coming into my farm and eating. I have every proof,” McCarthy said, adding that he is in the process of purchasing yam heads to replant.
“Your Honour, I want to be fair to both parties, because if the goat was a nuisance to him [McCarthy] and it causes damage that he can quantify, then it would have been justified, by him killing the goat. He had the right to kill the goat and the complainant may not have been entitled to receiving that money, he may have to give it back,” the prosecutor explained, noting that he may have to research the Trespass Act and the Malicious Injuries to Property Act.
Mason then cautioned the complainant that the issue may be more of a civil matter than a criminal one, because the defendant has a claim. “Complainant, don’t spend that money because what may happen is that you may have to give back that $80,000 and pay him [McCarthy] the $119,000 he suffered because of your goats. You have to tie up your goats,” Mason cautioned. The matter is set for mention on March 20.