Firefighters free goat from PVC pipe

MOUNT CLEMENS, Mich., July 1 (UPI) -- A Michigan man said he named his pygmy goat after one of the firefighters who helped him free the animal when its head became stuck in a PVC pipe.

Marty Clauw of Macomb County said he returned home from work Tuesday to find the 11-week-old goat's head had become stuck in the pipe, The Macomb Daily reported Thursday.

Clauw said he called 911 but decided to take the goat to the Bruce Township fire station rather than wait for emergency responders.

"The fire department was superb," Clauw said. "They often are involved in so much tragedy, but they don't often get the opportunity to save someone -- even if it is a powerless goat."

Firefighters Tom Stankiewicz and Dave Faulker took control of the situation when Clauw arrived.

"I stuck my hand in the pipe and Dave and I got the ears pushed down," Stankiewicz said. "The ears acted like an anchor so it was difficult removing the goat without hurting it."

"We pushed the head back and forth and managed to get the head back out of the pipe the same way it got stuck. Everyone was relieved," he said.

Clauw said he named the goat Tom in honor of Stankiewicz.

"That was a strange call and it turned out positive," Stankiewicz said. "I'll bet you never had a goat named in your honor."