Statement on Recent News Article/Abuse Charges

The other day, we were made aware of a viral news article that we are sure many of you have seen by now, “PA goat snuggling business owner charged for at-home C-section that killed goat.” Like many, I am sure, we opened the article and were horrified at the conduct of the individual who was charged.  

As dairy goat breeders with extensive, long-term experience with goats and other livestock, we want to be absolutely clear: what was described and what was reportedly shown via livestream are not acceptable under any circumstances. This is not a matter of debate.

According to reports, the doe was experiencing a severe dystocia, and the individual claimed he had to make a “real-time decision” to act. What followed was an attempt to perform an at-home C-section using a pocket knife and dull scissors on a conscious animal, without veterinary care or pain management. In the recording, he reportedly acknowledged that the tools were not even sharp.

Let’s be absolutely clear once again, this is not acceptable under any circumstances. It is never appropriate to perform surgical intervention on a live animal unless you are a licensed veterinarian. As responsible goat producers, we do not support or condone these actions in any way.

What’s equally concerning is the number of people blindly defending or supporting these actions.  Yes, farming, especially during kidding season, can present difficult, high-pressure decisions. There are rare situations where access to veterinary care is limited, and producers must make tough calls. However, even in those circumstances, this level of intervention, carried out in this manner, is far beyond acceptable practice.

We understand that mistakes happen, but this goes far beyond a mistake. This act harmed not only the animal involved but also the reputation of the entire livestock industry, both dairy and meat. Public perception matters, and incidents like this undermine the work so many of us do every day to care for our animals responsibly and educate others. 

On our podcast, Ringside: An American Dairy Goat Podcast, we consistently emphasize preparation. That means building a strong relationship with a licensed veterinarian and having a backup plan for emergencies. Situations like dystocia are exactly why that preparation matters. There are so many knowledgeable, ethical, and experienced voices in the goat community who prioritize animal welfare and education.  What makes this even more jarring for us is that just days before we saw the article, we published episode #310 "Managing Difficult Kiddings with Dr. Lauren Acton! In our own experiences with dystocia, never once did we resort to anything remotely like what was described here.

If you are looking to learn more about responsible dairy goat husbandry, especially during kidding season, we encourage you to listen to that episode here. There are also many knowledgeable, ethical voices in the goat community doing excellent educational work through their YouTube Channels, including examples like DaNelle Wolford of Weed 'Em & Reap, Chrystal Bowser of Blue Cactus Dairy Goats, and the Arms Family of Arms Family Homestead.  To be clear, this behavior does not represent our industry.

If you are considering adding goats to your farm, seek out reputable sources, educate yourself, and above all, work with a qualified veterinarian. That is how we move forward, and how we do right by our animals.

Sincerely,
Jon Kain and Danielle Carolei
Ringside: An American Dairy Goat Podcast