Tasered goat case costs almost $25k so far

A police officer used a Taser on a goat in Oamaru last year. Photo / File

Tasering a goat is an expensive affair.

A decision by a police officer last year to use a Taser on a goat in Oamaru has cost one government agency investigating the matter just under $25,000 so far.

That cost is expected to rise as the Ministry for Primary Industries' investigation into the December 1, 2016 Taser incident continues.

MPI is investigating the incident in which Senior Constable Carl Pedersen used a Taser on the goat, which was later put down.

The goat believed to be the one tasered in December. Photo / Stephen Carter

The goat had led police officers and animal control workers on a wild goat chase around Oamaru until it was bailed up in a garage by a dog, although not before damaging several fences and a mobility scooter.

Snr Const Pederson used his Taser on the goat while it was in the garage, to subdue it.

In December, Sen Const Pederson acknowledged his decision to use his Taser might have been considered "a bit drastic'', but said, given the circumstances, he felt it was the best decision for all concerned.

Information released under the Official Information Act showed as of July 26 two MPI investigators had collectively spent about 460 hours working on the investigation, at a total cost of $18,440.

Other sundry expenses, consisting mainly of flights and accommodation, but also expert advice, were about $6541.

MPI's compliance services director Stephanie Rowe would not say what point the MPI investigation was at, but confirmed it was still under way.

A police spokeswoman said it would be inappropriate to comment on the police's outcome of its review of the incident while the MPI investigation was ongoing.

NZ Police declined to say how much it had spent on investigating the incident due to the work required to determine the costs.

- Otago Daily Times