Officer tasered goat 13 times
HFor a video go to nzherald.co.nz A feral goat had to be euthanised after it was tasered by a police officer 13 times.
Police have been forced to release footage of the 2016 incident by the Ombudsman.
The incident has also resulted in changes to the police Taser policy.
In a statement, police described the incident as “an exceptionally rare if not unprecedented situation requiring police to undertake highly improvised measures in efforts to manage a distressed goat (with horns) in a confined space within a garage”.
The officer, Senior Constable Carl Pederson, tried to restrain and remove the goat from an Oamaru property. He discharged his Taser 13 times before the goat was subsequently put down by a vet.
Pederson had been called to a garage near Thames Highway, SH1, after reports of the goat running on the highway and disrupting traffic.
The goat was found being held at bay by a small dog.
The officer considered using a firearm given the ongoing risk to the public should the goat escape.
But he favoured a lesser use of force, and did not want to kill the goat, police said.
Before that the officer had entered the garage and attempted to use a harness to secure the goat.
Pederson’s attempts were unsuccessful so he used his Taser to incapacitate the animal.
Several investigations had been conducted into this incident, including an independent investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
An MPI investigation determined that no charges would be laid.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority also reviewed the police investigation, and was satisfied that, “Police have investigated this matter appropriately and reached reasonable conclusions”.
Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier said during his investigation he carefully reviewed the original arguments made by police to withhold the footage for fear it was too graphic.
“This footage was subsequently published by TVNZ — this disclosure and subsequent publication by the media of video footage of animals being tasered did not result in any harm which, in essence, amounted to prejudice to measures protecting the public’s health and safety.
“Consequently, it is difficult for me to see how withholding the video footage is necessary or justified under the Official Information Act.”
Pedersen said in 2016 he had used his device on the animal because it was “stressed” and “uncooperative”.