Wiltshire Police Use Lasso to Catch Rampaging Village Goat

Published: 21 December 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

A runaway goat caused chaos in the quiet Wiltshire village of Upper Seagry before being safely recaptured by police using riot shields and a lasso in an unusual operation that drew the attention of local residents. The incident, which took place near Chippenham, saw the billy goat trotting through the streets, chasing a woman and attempting to nibble on festive decorations, including oranges attached to a Christmas wreath, according to eyewitness reports shared with the BBC.

Wiltshire Police officers PC Ferris and PC Miller, part of the Chippenham Response team, responded promptly to the scene. Footage from body-worn cameras captured the unusual scene, with the officers attempting to control the goat, which was not only evasive but also curious about the officers’ equipment. “Apparently it’s not very nice,” one of the officers can be heard remarking as the goat attempted to butt against his head. “We’ve got it on a tow line, we’ve got some [riot] shields because he’s trying to butt my head,” the footage revealed.

Despite briefly slipping from the lasso, the goat was ultimately recaptured and returned safely to its owner on Thursday morning. Wiltshire Police confirmed the successful outcome, praising the quick response and professionalism of the officers involved. “PC Ferris and PC Miller, from Chippenham Response, swiftly responded, controlled the situation and returned the goat to his owner,” said a spokesperson for the force.

Local residents watched the unusual spectacle unfold, with some taking videos and photographs to document the chaotic yet light-hearted event. The goat’s antics, chasing pedestrians and inspecting Christmas decorations, added an unusual dose of excitement to an otherwise quiet village morning. Social media posts featuring images of the goat alongside police officers quickly circulated, sparking amused commentary from viewers across the UK.

While runaway animals occasionally cause disruption in rural areas, police efforts to manage such incidents using riot shields and a lasso are relatively rare and demonstrate a pragmatic, hands-on approach to maintaining public safety while ensuring the animal’s welfare. Experts note that incidents like these, though unusual, require officers to balance community safety with animal care, often improvising with available resources.

This was not the first time in recent months that UK emergency services have been called to recapture escaped goats. In October, a separate incident in Cumbria required three fire crews and local police to respond after a goat became stranded at the base of Longtown Bridge in Carlisle. Reports indicated that a local resident attempted to rescue the animal but ended up in the water, necessitating an emergency response. Fire officers were later able to safely recover the goat, preventing further risk to the public and the animal.

Incidents involving escaped farm animals can be disruptive, particularly during busy festive periods when local streets and public spaces are busier than usual. While often amusing to onlookers, such situations present real challenges for law enforcement officers, who must act quickly to prevent potential injuries to the public, damage to property, and harm to the animals themselves.

Wiltshire Police said the Upper Seagry operation was handled with both efficiency and care, ensuring minimal disruption to village life. “The officers involved demonstrated great initiative and calm under pressure,” the spokesperson noted, highlighting the unusual yet effective use of a lasso in combination with riot shields to guide the goat safely home.

Residents and online observers have expressed appreciation for the officers’ efforts, with many noting that the incident added a humorous highlight to the early days of the Christmas season. The goat’s curiosity, coupled with the police response, has since become a lighthearted topic of discussion on social media, showcasing the lighter side of rural policing.

Police and fire services continue to advise members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with escaped livestock, stressing that while the events may appear comical, they can be unpredictable and potentially dangerous. Coordination between emergency services and animal owners is crucial to safely resolve such incidents.

The Upper Seagry goat saga serves as a reminder of the unexpected challenges that rural communities can face and the creativity required by officers in managing unique situations. While the incident concluded without injury, it highlighted both the unpredictability of livestock and the importance of swift, calm, and coordinated emergency responses.

As Christmas travel and village festivities continue, residents of Upper Seagry can now breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that the billy goat is safely back under its owner’s care. Meanwhile, the story is likely to remain a humorous anecdote for locals and an example of rural police ingenuity.