JR Robertson’s animals are known around Vancouver’s Truman neighborhood. The 63-year-old lives on a 1-acre plot near state Highway 500 and Falk Road, and he said that a steady flow of pedestrians, bicyclists and children have been known to pay a visit to see his mules, goats, rabbits and turkeys.
So Robertson was upset on Monday morning when he woke up and found his three goats dead.
“My first thought was that they’d been poisoned,” he said.
Robertson had been out of town for about four days and left his animals in the care of a woman who regularly assumes the duties when he’s gone.
He talked to the woman, who said the goats were alive when she fed them at about 10 a.m. Sunday morning. Robertson investigated more closely and he found bullet holes in the goats’ heads.
Seven-year-old Minnie, 5-year-old Coco and 3-year-old Ginger were Robertson’s only goats and they had been shot and killed.
“This is pretty serious stuff,” he said. “I’m kind of pissed. Someone got away with something here that they shouldn’t have.”
Robertson called 911, and a deputy with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office responded. Sgt. Chuck Christensen said that an unknown person shot and killed the animals with an unknown caliber weapon. He added that there isn’t much more that deputies can do in terms of investigating the case unless neighbors or witnesses come forward with more information.
The agency has passed the case along to Clark County Animal Control, but asks that if anyone saw anything suspicious in the area Sunday or early Monday, that they call the sheriff’s office at 360-397-2211.
The loss of the goats will not go unnoticed in the neighborhood. A path runs between Robertson’s mini farm and Highway 500, and it is frequented by walkers, joggers and bikers, he said.
Robertson even has a bench outside the property where children could sit and play and watch the goats through the 6-foot-tall fence.
The incident has left him wondering what he can do to keep his other animals safe.
“How can you protect outside animals?” he asked.
