Fine tossed for flower-eating goat

SYDNEY, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- An Australian comedian was cleared of a fine for damaging vegetation when a court ruled his pet goat was to blame.

Jimbo Bazoobi, real name James Dezarnaulds was fined about $464 for damaging vegetation when his goat, Gary, munched on a freshly planted flower bed in Sydney's Circular Quay area, The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

Lawyer Paul McGirr argued before Magistrate Carolyn Barkell at Sydney's Downing Center court his client could not control Gary's appetite.

"It is a liability that attaches to only a person ... Gary's not a person," McGirr said.

Barkell dismissed the fine.