Shelby Township's cops know how to use humor and social media.
The latest evidence is a series of lost animal posts Thursday morning on Facebook with photos and this tone: "If anyone is missing a goat . . ."
The Macomb department, which collared (literally) the barnyard escapee, pokes mirth at itself for the second such apprehension in five weeks.
A online comment asks whether the animal in custody is being read its legal rights. (Facebook photo)
"This one went much more smoothly than the last 'farm animal in custody.' We are learning," police say, referring to a May 28 hog capture that turned a patrol car into a manure wagon -- or a pig sty, as a Freep headline put it.
After posing -- safely outside -- for police smartphone cameras, the latest four-legged detainee was handed over to "the fine folks at Macomb County Animal Control," according to one of the three posts. In all, they've drawn more than 1,100 "likes," more than 200 comments and are shared nearly 250 times in the first four hours.
To prepare for other possible critter captures, the animal control number "has now moved to position 1 on our speed dial," the suburban police department says.
One of its Facebook followers, Jean Nettesheim, suggests that officers try this new excuse: "Sorry Captain, the goat ate my reports."
WDIV reporter Nick Monacelli asks in a comment post for video the station can show, but a police spokesman replies: "I couldn't get good video. I was holding a goat."
-- Alan Stamm
