'Phantom goat' nabbed in northern New Jersey

[February 07, 2009]  PATERSON, N.J. (AP) -- A "phantom goat" that eluded capture in crowded northern New Jersey is in custody.

The animal was spotted with its head in a flower pot in a Paterson parking lot on Thursday. An animal control officer collared it.

The goat had led dozens of people to call 911 in disbelief with sightings along the city's riverbanks.

Chief animal control officer John DeCando believes the goat was destined for someone's dinner table when it took off.

No one has claimed the goat, so Fire Battalion Chief Glen Vetrano plans to take it to his family's Sussex County farm.

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Information from: The Record of Bergen County, http://www.northjersey.com

[Associated Press]

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