Police have today released TASER camera footage of an incident on 1 December 2016 in which a feral goat was tasered at a property in Oamaru.
A local Animal Control officer had unsuccessfully tried for an hour to secure the goat after it ran through peak morning traffic on the Thames Highway, almost causing vehicles to crash. Children were also walking to school in the vicinity.
The animal jumped several property fences and was unable to be captured. It eventually made its way into a garage, at which point police were called.
The police officer attending requested the Animal Control officer to go to the address. They assessed a number of options given the agitated state of the goat. They also considered the ongoing risk to the public should the goat escape.
Their assessment included consideration of using a police firearm to shoot the goat. However the police officer favoured a lesser use of force, and did not want to kill the goat. The officer was also concerned about the use of a firearm in a confined area in a suburban street.
The officer then entered the garage and attempted to use a harness to secure the goat. However this was not successful. The officer was concerned that the animal would escape through a window which it had already tried to break through.
Aware of the risk the goat still posed, particularly to himself and that it could escape back onto the highway, the officer opted to deploy his TASER. His intention was to incapacitate the animal so it could be immediately restrained.
The goat initially fell to the floor on the first TASER discharge and the officer went forward to secure it with the harness. However the animal recovered almost immediately, increasing the risk to the officer.
In total the TASER was discharged 13 times before the goat was brought under control. A vet attended, and the goat was subsequently euthanised.
Several investigations have been conducted into this incident, including an independent investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. The 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”.
Police has previously withheld the video as it considered the contents too graphic for public release. The Ombudsman has now provided clarification on that, and we welcome that guidance.
The Ombudsman also highlights the following points from the police Policy, Practice and Procedure Review which followed the incident, and which stated that the event involved:
• A feral goat at large creating significant safety risks to motorists and pedestrians.
• Police attending the event at the request of the local animal control officer who did not have the capacity of capability to effectively manage the situation.
• 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 police officer acted in good faith and his actions did not constitute a breach of the police Code of Conduct.
• Sound aspects of decision making included:
Recognising the limited realistic options available to one person contending with a distressed goat with horns potentially capable of inflicting serious injury.
• By virtue of the Police Oath of Office and obligations to keep the peace means ‘doing nothing’ is not an option available, and therefore requiring police to act.
Regardless of the investigative outcomes police have taken the opportunity to look at this incident from a ‘lessons learnt’ perspective. Internal investigations recommended the need to update TASER policy to clarify the approach and expectations in relation to the use of TASER on animals.
The TASER policy now includes this guidance:
• “A TASER can be used to deter an attacking animal, but not to capture an animal that is otherwise not attacking.”
Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham says he accepts there will be a range of reactions to the video:
“With the benefit of hindsight it is accepted that this incident could have been handled differently.
“The update to the TASER policy means that staff should consider other available options if faced with a similar situation again.
“However I reiterate that the officer involved was acting in good faith to manage a dynamic and exceptionally rare, if not unprecedented situation which posed a risk to the public.
“I stress that in many cases our officers cannot stand back and do nothing when they are faced with a public safety situation.
“We back our staff in their decision making, and we are committed to learning from every situation we face.
“Public safety will always be our number one priority.” said Mr Basham.
ENDS
Note to media – Superintendent Paul Basham is available for interviews this afternoon in Dunedin. To request a link to the video footage please contact the Media Centre on media@police.govt.nz.