Shasta County Settles Lawsuit Over Slaughtered Goat

Shasta County has agreed to a $300,000 settlement in a lawsuit brought by the Long family after their pet goat, Cedar, was seized and slaughtered following a junior livestock auction incident in 2022. The family, led by Jessica Long, argued that their daughter, who raised Cedar for a 4-H project, changed her mind about auctioning the goat and sought to withdraw it before the sale. Despite the family's attempts to negotiate with fair officials and offer compensation to the buyer, Cedar was auctioned without their consent and later slaughtered. The lawsuit claimed violations of the Fourth Amendment and due process rights, leading to scrutiny of the practices of the Shasta County Sheriff's Office and the Shasta District Fair. The settlement allocates $65,000 for the child's trust fund and $35,000 for attorney fees. The case highlights the complexities surrounding livestock auctions and the emotional bonds formed between children and their animals.