- The Washington Times - Wednesday, May 22, 2013

A small female goat apparently headed to a north New Jersey slaughterhouse broke free of her captors Tuesday and hit the roadway, leading police on a chase that lasted nearly two hours.

The goat tied up traffic during the morning commute on the Pulaski Skyway, one of the state’s busiest routes. She bounded back and forth over the road’s steel divider, eluding police for more than 90 minutes, the Associated Press reported.

Four vehicles attempting to avoid the goat were involved in a minor accident, police said. No injuries were reported.

The chase ended once police, sensing her growing fatigue, closed in and formed a half circle around her. They slowly drew the circle tighter and were eventually able to capture her, AP said.

Authorities, who believe she was headed to a slaughterhouse due to the Department of Agriculture tag on her ear, have placed her in temporary holding, pending identification. She may end up in an animal welfare facility for livestock — and left to live.

“If it can survive running around the Pulaski Skyway for two hours, and then winds up in a slaughterhouse, it’s kind of sad,” city spokesman Stan Eason said. “But if someone claims her, she is private property so there’s not much we can do.”

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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