California Family Settles for $300K After Sheriff's Deputies Seize and Slaughter Pet Goat

The settlement follows a legal battle over the seizure of a young girl's pet goat, Cedar, which was taken and slaughtered despite attempts to reclaim him.

Jessica Long's family reached a $300,000 settlement with Shasta County after sheriff's deputies seized and slaughtered her daughter's pet goat, Cedar.
The goat was initially entered into a junior livestock auction at the Shasta County Fair, but Long's daughter decided she couldn't part with him and attempted to withdraw Cedar from the sale.
Fair officials refused to release the goat, citing rules, and despite a buyer's willingness to nullify the purchase, Cedar was eventually seized and slaughtered.
The lawsuit claimed that the seizure violated the family's rights, including due process and protection against unreasonable search and seizure.
The settlement does not conclude all legal proceedings, as litigation against the fair organizers and related parties is ongoing.