Pregnant goat hog-tied and left on roof as prank
Erwin, NC (US)Incident Date: Friday, Oct 15, 2004
County: Harnett
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Jimmy Hall
» Russell Galvan
» Matthew Hogge
» Joshua Harris
» Justin Pope
Five Triton High School students thought to be responsible for hog-tieing a pregnant goat and leaving it on the school roof have been criminally charged, according to sheriff reports.
Jimmy Hall, 18, of Hope Mills, plus Dunn 17-year-olds Russell Galvan of Morris Circle, Matthew Hogge of Watauga Way, Joshua Harris of Bryant Pond Road and Justin Pope, also 17, of West B Street in Erwin were all charged with cruelty to animals, second-degree trespassing and disorderly conduct. Mr. Hall was also charged with instigating animal cruelty, abandoning an animal and injury to real property. All charges are misdemeanors.
The students were served with warrants at the Harnett County Sheriff's Department in Lillington Monday morning. Mr. Hall was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond. The other four were all released on $500 unsecured bonds. All five are due in court Nov. 17.
The prank saw the heavily pregnant goat spray-painted blue, stuffed in a trash can and left on a school building roof with its feet and mouth bound. It was discovered by school staff Friday morning.
Four of the five students were suspended from school for 10 days. Triton Principal Brooks Matthews indicated Mr. Hall transferred to a school in Fayetteville Friday. Mr. Hogge, Mr. Galvan and Mr. Harris were all Triton football players, but have been suspended indefinitely from the team.
Mr. Matthews said he discussed disciplinary action with Superintendent Donald Andrews.
"He felt comfortable with our original decision for a 10-day suspension," Mr. Matthews said. "That'll be the extent of the punishment."
The three football players' suspension from the team will be a matter for the coaching staff, Mr. Matthews said.
"Once the out-of-school suspension is over, they can make a decision," he said.
Mr. Matthews said he is standing by his decision to cancel spirit week activities in the wake of the incident. Students who bought commemorative T-shirts will still be allowed to wear them and half-time festivities will still be held at Friday's homecoming game.
Mr. Matthews said he has learned since Friday that prior knowledge of the prank was more widespread than at first thought.
"That's been a little bit disappointing," he said. The desire to top previous pranks was apparently a factor in what happened.
"That's what we've got to get away from," Mr. Matthews said. "We don't want any more of that."
The goat did not suffer any physical injuries and is being cared for by Triton teacher Lisa Mellot, who has other goats. It gave birth Sunday and its pregnancy didn't seem affected by its ordeal, according to husband R.E. Mellot.
Sheriff Larry Rollins said the stiffest possible penalties for the charges would be probation. He said the charges were appropriate for a school prank. References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
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