Nearly two years after deputies took their cherished pet goat, Cedar, and turned him over to the Shasta District Fair officials, who then butchered and barbecued him, a Shasta County family was awarded a $300,000 settlement.
RELATED STORIES: Girl,9, Sues California State Fair After Her Pet Goat Was Sold And Barbecued
In April 2022, Jessica Long bought a seven-month-old goat named Cedar for her daughter. The family had initially planned to enter Cedar into the junior livestock auction at the Shasta District Fair in June of that year after her daughter formed a close bond with him. However, they changed their minds at the last minute and tried to withdraw him from the sale, as reported by the Daily Mail. Their request was denied, prompting Jessica to take Cedar back before he could be handed over to the buyer.
Using a search warrant, deputies went to the house to collect Cedar, who was then taken to people who allegedly killed and barbecued him at a gathering. The Long family is still unsure of Cedar’s killer despite their recent legal victory. Officials may have tried to hide the truth about the goat’s last moments, according to text messages from the federal lawsuit.
RELATED STORIES: Man Who Spent $14K To Become A Dog Wants To Be A Different Animal
The family’s lawyer, Vanessa Shakib, said that the messages revealed an apparent attempt to hide the goat’s fate. She explained that the $300,000 settlement is a step forward but it doesn’t bring Cedar back or provide any further information regarding the case. County officials have continued to deny any wrongdoing, maintaining that setting the case was a strategic move to avoid litigation costs.
