Animal tasering policy changes

Police have changed their policy for using Tasers on animals after graphic and disturbing footage of an officer tasering a goat in Oamaru was released.

The footage shows the goat writhing in pain as it is tasered more than a dozen times by an officer trying to subdue the animal after it led police and animal control workers on a chase in downtown Oamaru in December, 2016.

Southern district commander Superintendent Paul Basham said he accepted there would be a range of reactions to the video.

"With the benefit of hindsight, it is accepted that this incident could have been handled differently.

"The update to the Taser policy means that staff should consider other available options if faced with a similar situation again.

"However, I reiterate that the officer involved was acting in good faith to manage a dynamic and exceptionally rare, if not unprecedented situation which posed a risk to the public."

Police said yesterday internal investigations as a result of the incident recommended an update of its Taser policy.

A Taser could now be used to deter an attacking animal, but not to capture an animal that was not attacking.

Supt Basham said the officer, Senior Constable Carl Pedersen, was on his own in a garage where the goat had sought refuge when the incident occurred.

Asked what the officer should have done differently, Supt Basham said the officer was in a situation where he felt he had to resolve the incident without further risk to others or himself.

Ideally, the Taser would have been deployed with a team of two officers present.

The second officer could have restrained the animal after it was tasered, Supt Basham said.

On the day, the plan was for an animal control officer to act as the second person but the "best laid plan" did not work out as expected, as that person was looking for the goat elsewhere.

Asked what police should do in a similar situation, Supt Basham said it was "very hard to give a clear black and white answer" because of the dynamic nature of police work.

However, they would have to "take cognisance of the lessons we've learned institutionally from this event".

Officers would now have greater clarity on the limitations of the Taser on animals.

"That would form part of his or her tactical assessment around their response."

But the incident showed Tasers were designed for humans, not animals.

There had been 86 incidents of Tasers being used on animals to last year, 83 of those to deter menacing or attacking dogs.

It was a rare event to use the weapon on any animal, even more rare to use it on a feral goat.

"As a general principle, the Taser is mostly effective on a human subject, and less effective against animals."

Multiple investigations were carried out in the aftermath of the December 1 incident, including an independent investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.

The MPI investigation determined no charges would be laid against the officer.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority also reviewed the police investigation, and was satisfied that "police have investigated this matter appropriately and reached reasonable conclusions".

Snr Const Pedersen declined to comment yesterday.

The goat was put down after the incident.