Authorities in Maine recently responded to a distress call about a screaming woman, only to discover an unexpected source of the screams – a vocal goat named Simon. The Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office in Etna received an urgent report about a woman in distress on a Saturday night. Upon arriving at the scene, they were surprised to find Simon, a Nigerian dwarf goat at Oak Shade Farm, enthusiastically expressing himself through loud shrieks.
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Simon, owned by Devon Hawes and his family, had been particularly vocal that day, prompting concern from residents who mistook his cries for a human in need of help. Devon shared on social media that the sheriff traced the screams to their farm, where they introduced him to the expressive goat, bringing closure to the unusual incident. Despite their best efforts, Devon admitted, “I don’t know how to make a goat be quiet. He’s just got a lot to say!”
Nigerian dwarf goats, like Simon, are known for their colourful appearances and horned features, making them a distinct breed on American farms. Beyond their striking looks, these goats are prized for their milk production, which is ideal for making butter. Despite their petite size, Nigerian dwarf goats are cherished for their gentle temperament and graceful demeanour, making Simon’s loud behaviour a surprising deviation from the norm.
The sheriff’s office couldn’t help but find humour in the situation, noting that the encounter with Simon would surely make for an interesting addition to the United Crime Reporting System. Devon jokingly remarked that their farm is usually a quiet neighbourhood, except for the enthusiastic vocalisations of their talkative goat. The light-hearted response from the authorities and the Hawes family turned what could have been a concerning situation into a memorable anecdote.
The incident involving Simon the goat is not the first of its kind, as similar cases have been reported in different parts of the country. In Oklahoma, police once mistook a loud, annoyed goat for a human in distress, showcasing how these animals’ vocalisations can be mistaken for something more serious. Additionally, at a barn wedding, a ring bearer goat caused chaos by dragging a flower girl, providing unexpected comedic relief to the event.
As news of Simon’s vocal prowess spreads, residents in the small town of Etna are sure to remember the day a goat’s screams led authorities on a surprising adventure. While the initial distress call may have been a false alarm, the unforgettable encounter with a goat with “a lot to say” added a touch of unexpected excitement to the community. Simon’s enthusiastic vocalisations serve as a reminder that sometimes, the most surprising sources can brighten up even the quietest neighbourhoods.