A Destin man whose goat was taken by authorities Jan. 28 has stepped up to tell his side of the story.
Erick Brown said he loves his goat and that his alleged abuse of it was a “misconception.”
Citizens called the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office on the afternoon of the 28th to complain that the goat was being dragged behind a bike.
“All I was doing was taking the goat for a walk,” Brown said. “I was pedaling slowly on a bike. He can keep up.
“When he did get tired, I did call a cab,” he added.
He said it wasn’t difficult to find a cab to transport them because he and his goat are well-known in Destin.
“Everybody loves me and loves the goat and knows I love the goat,” he said.
Brown said he got the goat from a petting zoo in October and that the animal is very friendly and craves company. His landlady suggested he name it Deer because it looks like one.
Authorities had said he was homeless, but Brown said he has a nice home with a big back yard.
He wishes animal rights advocates had offered to help him take care of the goat, instead of removing it from his care.
He tried to visit it at Panhandle Animal Welfare Society this week but was turned away.
The case remains open with the Sheriff’s Office.
“I did everything I was supposed to do,” he said. “I have a good relationship with my goat.”