A Connecticut man is in custody after a video of him shoving a goat in his car trunk was shown to police.
Ernesto Rodriguez, 36, of East Hartford, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty and breach of peace.
Rodriguez purchased the goat from the Middlesex Livestock auction. He then shoved the goat in his trunk and drove to his home, 30-minutes away, according to authorities.
The witness who took the video alarmed state police, who then tracked him to his home and arrested him.
While investigating, the Department of Agriculture found more than a goat.
“We learned there were also five chickens in the trunk of the car,” said George Krivda Jr. who works for the department.
At this time, it’s uncertain what Rodriguez planned to do with the animals, but officials speculate it could have been for religious purposes or consumption.
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Lisa Scirpo, the owner of the Middlesex Livestock auction, said she’s devastated.
“No matter, even if the animal’s destiny is to be killed, nothing should suffer to that point,” she said.
Officials said the livestock are OK, but it's uncertain just how many hours they’d been stuffed inside the trunk.
Rodriguez is due in court on October 16.
