Incident Overview
In 2022, Jessica Long purchased Cedar for her daughter, who was participating in a youth development program that included raising animals for the Shasta District Fair. Initially, the family registered Cedar for auction but later decided against selling him. Despite their attempts to withdraw from the auction, fair officials insisted on proceeding due to their rules. California State Senator Brian Dahle placed the winning bid of $902, but the family was devastated to learn that Cedar would be slaughtered after the auction.
Legal Proceedings
Following the auction, fearing for Cedar’s safety, Long took him to a farm in Sonoma County. However, Shasta County Sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant to seize the goat. Reports indicate that they did not have a valid warrant for this action and ultimately took Cedar from another location before returning him to Shasta County, where he was slaughtered.The Long family filed a lawsuit against the sheriff’s office for wrongful seizure and violation of their rights as pet owners. After two years of litigation, a federal judge approved the settlement requiring Shasta County to pay $300,000 to the family. Although county officials denied any wrongdoing, they acknowledged the risks and costs associated with going to trial.
Emotional Impact
The emotional toll on the young girl has been significant; she had already suffered losses in her life, including three grandparents within a year prior to Cedar’s seizure. Long expressed her distress over her daughter’s heartbreak and emphasized that no amount of money could replace Cedar.
Conclusion
This case highlights not only the complexities surrounding animal ownership and legal rights but also raises broader questions about governmental authority in personal matters. The settlement represents a step toward healing for the Long family, although they continue to seek accountability from those involved in Cedar’s fate. As noted by Advancing Law for Animals, which represented the family, this situation reflects a broader concern regarding government overreach in handling personal pets.
