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MELBOURNE, Australia — Three people have been taken to hospital after they were attacked by a “marauding” goat in Melbourne’s east.
Paramedics were called to a retirement village at Donvale after the goat, with six inch horns, charged at the trio.
The goat named “Billy” had escaped from an adjoining property and attacked the retirement village gardener when he tried to shoo him with a bunch of weeds.
The goat was repeatedly butting the gardener and another man went to his aid.
But he was also butted and knocked to the ground.
Police were able to subdue the goat until the owner retrieved it.
Two men, aged 64 and 70, suffered head and spinal injuries. One of them was knocked unconscious when he tripped and hit his head while fleeing.
A 33-year-old woman injured her ankle.
Paramedic David Kervin says it is not clear why the goat attacked.
“We just know that goats are quite territorial and these people were out in the paddock tending to some plants and stuff, and this goat sort of attacked them with no notice at all,” he said.
Mr Kervin said it was quite chaotic when they first arrived on scene.
“Luckily the police had subdued the goat quickly, so we could get to the patients,” he said.
“When we got here three people had been injured by the goat. They sustained head injuries, lower leg injuries and some spinal injuries as well.”
He said it was quite lucky the injuries were not more serious, given the goat had six inch horns.
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