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In Etna, Maine, a local resident's concern for a woman's safety turned out to be a case of mistaken identity involving a vocal goat. On Saturday (August 30), police responded to a report of a woman screaming for help near railroad tracks. The source of the noise led them to Oak Shade Farm, where they discovered Simon, a one-year-old Nigerian Dwarf goat, who was the true source of the commotion.
Simon, known for his chatty nature, had alarmed a passerby who mistook his bleating for a woman's cries. Devon Hawes, Simon's owner, explained to police that Simon often makes noise, despite having all his needs met. "He’s just got a lot to say," Hawes told WABI.
Hawes and her husband were watching Netflix when police arrived at their door around 8:30 p.m. The couple led officers to Simon, who was in his pen. The incident ended on a light-hearted note, with no repercussions for Simon or his owners. Hawes shared a video of Simon on Facebook, which amused viewers and provided closure to the concerned citizen who made the call.
The neighborhood is typically quiet, except for Simon's occasional outbursts. This isn't the first time a goat has been mistaken for a human in distress. In 2023, a similar incident occurred in Oklahoma, where police responded to what they thought was a man calling for help, only to find another vocal goat.