This is what happened in the next town yesterday.  I thought it may be of interest to those with goats.

This was sent in an email from Sandy at the Rimrock Humane Society:

Rimrock Humane Society got a call a little after 8:00 a.m. this morning
that there were two goats that were “stranded” on the train bridge over
Old Divide Road.  These train tracks lead from the Signal Peak Energy
Coal mine to Broadview.  The bridge is approximately 60 feet in the air
and it was explained to us that the goats were stuck on a ledge and had
been there for two days.  The Musselshell County Sheriff’s Dept., Sandy
Church from Rimrock Humane Society and Cory Freeman from Animal
Edventures all responded and found this:

We have absolutely no idea how or why these little critters would go out on this bridge – the only thing we can figure is it happened at night and they were unsure of their surroundings.  Once morning came, they were too scared to walk back where they came from.  That ledge they are standing on not only is about 6” wide but is also “canted” at an angle to allow for water run off.  Every step they took struck terror in our hearts as we were so fearful that they were going to plummet to their deaths.

Cory kept a watchful eye on them and you could tell that they were tired, thirsty and thoroughly exhausted.

Sandy from the Rimrock Humane Society worked on the ground calling around and brainstorming ways to get these two down.  A Fergus Electric truck stopped and was asked if they had a bucket truck that would

reach that high … they did not have one.  Then the idea dawned to possibly have someone repel down to the pillar support, strap harnesses on the little buggars and lift them up over the edge.  A nice gentleman by the name of Stan who works for the Musselshell County Road Dept. stopped by and said that he was a high angle repeller but he could not help us until after he got out of work at 4:30 … Sandy & Cory knew that these goats just couldn’t last that long.  If they got weak enough, they would not be able to maintain their balance and they would just fall off the ledge.

Finally, Byron Kinn, from Signal Peak Energy came out and helped access the situation.  He said that they definitely had a piece of equipment that could reach that high but had to get it approved by his boss, John DeMichiei.  After a grueling 15 minute wait, Byron was back to say that his boss had given the go ahead to bring the equipment out and rescue the goats!!  YAY!

While Byron got the equipment (which is very slow moving by the way), Sandy & Cory ran and got crates, ropes, halters and anything they thought useful for the rescue attempt.  Within an hour, everyone was back

and ready to get these two on the ground.  Cory kindly volunteered to go up in the bucket with Byron to help handle the goats, a large crate was loaded in the basket and away they went.

Our biggest fear is once the bucket got near the goats, they would jump with panic.  Our biggest hope was that they were so exhausted, they wouldn’t have the energy to do so.

For the complete rescue, see our video on You Tube at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…..YOW7hK6LpM

It went off without a hitch and the little goats leapt into Cory’s arms!  They knew why we were there.  (=  It was high fives all around!

Here is a shot of Sandy Church, President of the Rimrock Humane Society and Cory Freeman with Animal Edventures posing with the two exhausted little goats.

Cory is holding the two little goats at her establishment until the owner can be located.  We deeply wish to thank Signal Peak Energy, Byron Kinn and John DeMichiei for going the extra mile to assist these animals in their dire predicament.  We are happy to report that the goats are doing great and although thoroughly exhausted; are currently napping happily – safe and sound on the ground.

I guess that's why farms with goats are in rural areas…..

I couldn't help but think of Sailor, the "kiddie" escape artist!