Police have confirmed changes to its policy on the use of tasers as a result of a 2016 incident in Oamaru when a feral goat was tasered more than a dozen times.
A statement released this afternoon said internal police investigations as a result of the incident recommended the need to update its taser policy to clarify the approach and expectations in relation to the use of tasers on animals.
Under its policy a taser can now be used to deter an attacking animal, but not to capture an animal that is otherwise not attacking.
In a statement, Southern District Commander Superintendent Paul Basham said he accepted there would be a range of reactions to the video:
"With the benefit of hindsight it is accepted that this incident could have been handled differently. The update to the taser policy means that staff should consider other available options if faced with a similar situation again.
"However I reiterate that the officer involved was acting in good faith to manage a dynamic and exceptionally rare, if not unprecedented situation which posed a risk to the public.
"I stress that in many cases our officers cannot stand back and do nothing when they are faced with a public safety situation. We back our staff in their decision making, and we are committed to learning from every situation we face.''
Several investigations were carried out in the aftermath of the December 1 incident, including an independent investigation by the Ministry for Primary Industries under the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
The MPI investigation determined that no charges would be laid against the officer that tasered the animal, Senior Constable Carl Pedersen, of Oamaru.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority also reviewed the police investigation, and was satisfied that "police have investigated this matter appropriately and reached reasonable conclusions''.
The goat, which escaped from an Oamaru meat processing plant, was tasered after it was cornered in the garage of a residential property.
A Waitaki District Council animal control officer had unsuccessfully tried for an hour to secure the goat after it ran through peak morning traffic on State Highway 1.
Snr Const Pedersen responded to a call from the animal control officer after the goat was discovered in the garage.
His intention was to incapacitate the animal so it could be immediately restrained.
The goat was felled by the first Taser discharge, but quickly recovered and was eventually tasered 13 times in total.
It was later euthanised.
