The killing of a goat which allegedly destroyed crops belonging to a neighbouring farmer is believed to be the motive behind an arson attack and the damaging of a farm in Whitehouse, Westmoreland, early last Thursday morning.

Reports are that the Whitehouse police were alerted about a fire on a farm in the community. A shop on the premises was reportedly set on fire sometime around 1 a.m.

Other sections of the farm were also reportedly damaged.

"We suspect that the fire was as a result of a dispute between the owner of the farm and the owner of the goat. There were no eyewitnesses, however, so we will have to wait and see what we can find out," a constable from the Whitehouse Police Station said yesterday.

The officer in charge was said to be out of office at the time and as such the constable requested anonymity.

THE STAR heard that last Wednesday the 71-year-old farmer attended to his farm and discovered that some of his crops were eaten by a goat.

The farmer is said to have killed the goat and subsequently alerted the goat's owner who then sought the attention of the police.

The woman was reportedly told that she was wrong to let her goat wander on to the man's farm and as such there was nothing the police could do.

"Based on what I heard, the owner of the goat was told that the man could not be charged for anything because her goat was found on the man's property and damaged his crops. Furthermore, it wasn't the first time," the constable explained.

When THE STAR spoke with the farmer, Samuel Feare, he admitted to killing the animal but claimed a herd of them had become a pest to him and his farm.

no control

"January, February, March up until now di goat dem nuh stop come ova mi farm. I always take dem back to her and tell her to control dem but dem always come back," Feare explained.

Feare also admitted he got a little angry when he saw at least six goats on his farm last Wednesday.

A couple of hours later, he would be awoken to his shop being on fire. Family members, however, managed to put out the blaze before it caused any major damage.

However, it was later discovered that at least 25 banana plants were destroyed.

A number of pipes running along the grounds of the farm were also dug up and destroyed.

"Mi kinda feel a way, yes, but I leave everything to God," Feare said when asked how he felt about the incident.

The police, in the meanwhile, say they will be speaking with the owner of the goat as they continue their investigations.