Students surrender goat after three-hour chase through town

COLUMBIA, S.C., Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A group of South Carolina students said they are giving up their pet after an hourslong wild goat chase involving dozens of pursuers.

University of South Carolina student Jay Gutowski said he and two of his roommates bought Dalebert the goat for $80 from a Craigslist seller and they believed the animal would be a low-maintenance pet that would take over some of their yard work duties.

However, Gutowski said Dalebert soon revealed himself to be fond of baa-d behavior, knocking down a fence and escaping Aug. 3.

Gutowski said the goat came back on his own the following morning, but he jumped a fence Saturday for a second escape that led to a Sunday chase involving about 25 friends trying to get their hands on the pet.

"I couldn't believe how high the thing jumped," Gutowski told newspaper The State. "It was unbelievable."

He said the Sunday morning chase lasted for about three hours, as the goat dodged and even jumped over his pursuers. Videos posted to YouTube show the goat using acrobatics to evade capture.

The students eventually recaptured the goat and made arrangements for him to be transported to a better home outside the city by an Animal Services officer.

"It's kind of sad but it's probably better off to be honest with you," Gutowski told WSPA-TV.

The student said he learned a lesson from the experience.

"Don't go buying animals on Craigslist," he said.