Goats are animals that by nature, head butt, slam, gore, bite, and generally harass their herd members. this is their nature, how they communicate control, determine who is the boss. It is not uncommon for goats to body slam one another halfway across the pasture because, well, just because. Hitting a goat on the head, unfortunately, has little effect on the goat. Butting heads is a game to goats. This is what goats do, with their head. Unless you have the strength to hit that goat literally to the ground, time and again, then again when they forget "whos boss", this is the WORST thing you can do, besides that you'd better not EVER turn your back on that goat cause you'll get it in the end. Not only that, it is animal abuse. I don't mind saying that whoever gave that advice to you is either not a very good goat person or has not owned goats for long enough to know this. The prod mentioned above is a better idea, the best idea would be to cull (as in kill) the aggressive animal. It is my understanding the aggressiveness shows normally after 2 or 3 years of age when they get full confidence. The worst tend to be (from my research) bottle fed intact males. Owning 7 intact bucks, I can say not one of them has ever tried to horn me, butt me, or treated me like a doe. This is because I bought from lines that are not aggressive, and I handled them accordingly from a young age. It's not really about engineering. It's really about genetics and rearing, breeder knowledge and choices. Nature and nurture. If you have an aggressive buck, why on earth would you breed that animal to pass that aggressiveness onto yet another generation of aggressive animals? I don't care how good of conformation, milk or meat the animal gives, it won't do you a dar n bit of good if you get seriously hurt while owning that fantastic yet aggressive animal. Oh and as far as defending himself, yes horns can be helpful, and may ward off a meandering predator, but only an aggressive horned goat with some weight behind him will save themselves from a serious predator and even then not something that is killing for hunger. Most would fall prey to the predator, the horns would only scare off half-hearted attemps to kill. One more comment; bucks do not need grain 2x a day. They need none at all. Urinary Calculi is a potential problem with bucks, a death sentence to wethers unless ammonium Chloride is given daily. For the health of your buck please research UC if you aren't aware of UC and bucks/wethers. Provide good quality hay, free choice minerals, plenty of fresh water and appropriate de-worming and he will do well. Brendasue

I don't think that's abuse or cruelty unless the cat is somehow being restrained against it's will and/or is obviously distressed. I have 2 cats and an 18 m.o., it is very interesting to witness what the cats withstand from her and what they will not tolerate. Nobody has put a claw into her as of yet- we are waiting for that eventuality. The other day she was poking the boy cat with a pencil and he had every opportunity to leave but chose not to, he just sat there patiently seemingly uninterested in leaving her- he isn't that tolerant with me most days. I did take the pencil away to prevent him from losing an eye. They do tolerate a lot from her, but when enough is enough, you can't make them stay.

Did you actually see the chain on the dog? And, we don't know that the dog had been taken care of in the past... we only have the owners word for it. The whole point of the controversy is that the local media and law enforcement refused to take into account the neighbors statement (and, there were actuall 2 people who called about the dog). The owners did say that they gave the dog an aspirin for pain once in a while! That dog needed a lot more than an occasional aspirin. Where are the owners vet records to back up their claim? Did you see the food and water bowls? I do know that I would have a very hard time walking by that dog for even one day, never mind, three days! And if the dog was so sick why even use that heavy chain (or any chain, for that matter) on him? He can't even get up. I think she did the right thing...the only thing that mattered for Doogie. It's disgusting how some dogs are treated in this country..and lots of times that disgusting treatment is perfectly legal AND sanctioned by the local so called humane society. And, excuse me, but.. there is a world of difference from a elderly, just bathed, dog, soaking up the sun and THIS dog who was found to be seriously neglected by a vet! That dog hadn't been lovingly bathed nor paid attention to, in any way, for a very long time. It may not have been illegal but it was most certainly immoral. And it would be nice if humane societies were at least required to put a priority status on almost dead dog calls! I don't believe for a minute that the owners cared, at all, for poor old Doogie. Silly

Poor Desi, but no, you are NOT an abuser. I think, especially with cats, that the car carrier can be far more traumatic than the ear mites. I know our old, and I do mean OLD barn cat, Sly, came home with this huge abcess on his face, so bad his eye was almost swollen shut. My niece, who is a animal health tech came over to look at it. She said to bring him in, get it drained and get an antibiotic. Made the appointment. The thing broke the next day on its own. I call the vet and told them it was draining just fine on its own, and although I know he should have an shot, at 19 years old, the car carrier and trip into town would probably stress him more than just leaving it alone. They agreed 100% I know in Calgary, they have a vet service that comes to the house to treat and vaccinate your pets. I think every area should have one of those services. So much easier on your pet than dragging him to their office.