This is Staffordshire --
A GRANDMOTHER is facing legal action from a policewoman who was injured by her runaway goat.
Jean Horsley, aged 63, of Cheadle, was left dumbfounded when PC Lorraine Bowman asked her to pay medical costs.
The police officer was injured after Mrs Horsley's one-year-old goat leapt at her from a garage roof in Cheadle.
The escaped animal had earlier bolted from a trailer at an abattoir.
Officers were called to return the animal to the slaughterhouse after 40 people had gathered around the out-of-control animal.
But Constable Bowman suffered injuries to her ribs, shoulders and back when the large billygoat hurtled towards her.
She was given first aid by a passer-by and an ambulance was called.
The officer was off work for three weeks after the incident, last November.
And now she has billed unsuspecting Mrs Horsley for the cost of a physiotherapist and chiropractor.
The grandma received a letter this week asking for the 'keeper of the goat' to pay towards the cost of the injuries for not keeping the animal restrained.
It does not place an exact figure on the cost of treatment, but Jean says she can not afford to pay.
The widow, who lost her husband Fred to cancer in April, said: "I was in disbelief. I haven't any insurance and don't know what I'm to do."
Andy Adams, of the Police Federation, said: "It sounds like a bizarre situation but these things do happen.
"It was a large goat that leapt at her from a height and it has caused her some quite serious injuries.
"This goat was due to go to the abattoir, but some how it escaped and found its way back to the farm where it came from.
"Lots of people had turned up and no-one could control it because it was being very aggressive.
"If it hadn't been the police officer it jumped on it could have been a member of the public."
PC Bowman, who worked in the Moorlands at the time of the incident, has now made a private civil claim against the bewildered owner.
But residents have defended Mrs Horsley, insisting it was an accident.
Farmer Richard Alcock, aged 69, of Rakeway Road, Cheadle said: "I don't think they should be suing this woman.
"It is just one of those things that happen with animals and they should have better experience of dealing with it."
However, Police Federation chairman Mr Adams said: "Staffordshire does have a large rural community and officers have to deal with incidents involving farm yard animals.
"I think it is important to note that rather than claiming compensation or a lump sum, she is trying to reclaim money spent on private medical treatment.
"It is the cost of what she had to spend to get back to work."
Chief Superintendent Juliet Prince, the force's local policing commander, said: "Each day officers face challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances to protect the public and keep them safe. The officer responded to public calls for help from local residents who were concerned about their safety." Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
A GRANDMOTHER is facing legal action from a policewoman who was injured by her runaway goat.
Jean Horsley, aged 63, of Cheadle, was left dumbfounded when PC Lorraine Bowman asked her to pay medical costs.
The police officer was injured after Mrs Horsley's one-year-old goat leapt at her from a garage roof in Cheadle.
The escaped animal had earlier bolted from a trailer at an abattoir.
Officers were called to return the animal to the slaughterhouse after 40 people had gathered around the out-of-control animal.
But Constable Bowman suffered injuries to her ribs, shoulders and back when the large billygoat hurtled towards her.
She was given first aid by a passer-by and an ambulance was called.
The officer was off work for three weeks after the incident, last November.
And now she has billed unsuspecting Mrs Horsley for the cost of a physiotherapist and chiropractor.
The grandma received a letter this week asking for the 'keeper of the goat' to pay towards the cost of the injuries for not keeping the animal restrained.
It does not place an exact figure on the cost of treatment, but Jean says she can not afford to pay.
The widow, who lost her husband Fred to cancer in April, said: "I was in disbelief. I haven't any insurance and don't know what I'm to do."
Andy Adams, of the Police Federation, said: "It sounds like a bizarre situation but these things do happen.
"It was a large goat that leapt at her from a height and it has caused her some quite serious injuries.
"This goat was due to go to the abattoir, but some how it escaped and found its way back to the farm where it came from.
"Lots of people had turned up and no-one could control it because it was being very aggressive.
"If it hadn't been the police officer it jumped on it could have been a member of the public."
PC Bowman, who worked in the Moorlands at the time of the incident, has now made a private civil claim against the bewildered owner.
But residents have defended Mrs Horsley, insisting it was an accident.
Farmer Richard Alcock, aged 69, of Rakeway Road, Cheadle said: "I don't think they should be suing this woman.
"It is just one of those things that happen with animals and they should have better experience of dealing with it."
However, Police Federation chairman Mr Adams said: "Staffordshire does have a large rural community and officers have to deal with incidents involving farm yard animals.
"I think it is important to note that rather than claiming compensation or a lump sum, she is trying to reclaim money spent on private medical treatment.
"It is the cost of what she had to spend to get back to work."
Chief Superintendent Juliet Prince, the force's local policing commander, said: "Each day officers face challenging and sometimes dangerous circumstances to protect the public and keep them safe. The officer responded to public calls for help from local residents who were concerned about their safety." Reported by This is 10 hours ago.