An 11-year-old girl from California in a heart-wrenching case that shows the emotional bond between humans and their pets has been awarded a $300,000 settlement after her pet goat, Cedar, was seized and slaughtered by police.

The incident dates back to 2022 when Jessica Long's daughter, then nine years old, had raised Cedar as part of a youth program for a livestock auction at the Shasta District Fair in Anderson, California.

Despite the fair's rules, which were not legally binding, the young girl decided she could not bear to part with Cedar, especially since the auction was intended for meat sales.

The situation escalated when Shasta County sheriff's deputies traveled approximately 500 miles roundtrip to seize Cedar without a warrant, following a 911 call from fair officials who claimed ownership of the goat.

Despite Long's attempts to negotiate, including offering to pay the fair's commission, Cedar was ultimately taken and believed to have been slaughtered, with his meat reportedly included in a community barbecue.

The lawsuit, filed by Long in 2023, argued that the seizure violated her daughter's rights. The settlement, reached in November 2024, will be placed in a trust for the girl, who remains heartbroken over the loss of her beloved pet.

Vanessa Shakib, an attorney with Advancing Law for Animals, emphasized the broader implications of the case, stating, "America is a country of pet lovers. Litigation of this kind drives accountability. It sends a message to government officials to handle animals with care and dignity."