This site has been the subject of some criticism due to the absence of content relating to goats. While it is true that you can’t hope to please everyone, it is good to try. The main focus of this site is things that are in the news, not members of the Bovidae family. Sometimes, however there is a crossover. Thanks to Google Analytics it is apparent the majority of those arriving on this site having searched for goat related phrases were looking for information on giving the animals as ‘ethical gifts’. Here are some stories that might make these people think about the kind of lives these goats could lead once they get to Africa…

A story carried on the BBC website back in 2006 became the subject of Internet legend, remaining one of the most emailed stories for years. This story is of course that of the Sudanese man who was forced to marry a goat. The name of the man was Tombe, and he had been caught engaging in relations with the beast. Out of wedlock.

The goat in question was owned by an outraged neighbour of Mr. Tombe by the name of Alifi. A council of elders pondered what the most appropriate punishment for the inter-species indiscretions would be. Eventually the settled on a surprising solution of making the goat violator make an honest nanny of his victim, and pay a substantial dowry to the beast’s owner.

The union was probably not a happy one, at least for the goat, dubbed ‘Rose’. Just one year later it emerged that the animal had died. As unusual as this story is, it appears that it is not as much of a quirk as it appears.

In Mozambique this year the owner of a goat who had been subjected to molestation by two men was demanding that something be done. Amazingly the farmer was stating that not only should there be an inter-species forced marriage, but that this marriage should be a polygamous one, with both men being forced to tie the farmyard knot. The law in that part of the world was not sympathetic to the farmer’s viewpoint, charging the men only with theft.

Goats in Africa appear to have rights not afforded to the animals in other parts of the world. As well as being able to take part in the bond of matrimony, in Nigeria they seem to have the right to trial by jury. Criminal responsibility is not habitually granted to beasts of the field, but sometimes there are exceptions. Last year a goat was arrested in Kwara State in Nigeria on suspicion of theft and witchcraft. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a fleeing (human) burglar change into a goat in order to evade capture. Mind how you go, and don’t have nightmares.