Goats Euthanized After Apparent Drunken Driver Crashes into Petting Zoo

A man who allegedly drove drunk, and struck three goats penned up at Swan's Pumpkin Farm, asked the arresting police officer if he could eat them, according to police.

Akhom A. Chanthavong, 40, was cited for inattentive driving, hit and run, failing to notify a police officer of an accident, drunk driving and having a prohibited alcohol content.

According to a report by the Caledonia Police, Chanthavong drove the van, which left the roadway, and went into the ditch and through an enclosed petting zoo at Swan’s Pumpkin Farm at Swan’s Pumpkin Farm, 5930 County Road H, about 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The three goats had to be euthanized because of they suffered extensive injuries, according to Ken Swan, owner of Swan's Pumpkin Farm.

After allegedly leaving the scene, Chanthavong was found on the East Frontage Road after his van broke down on the road after a homeowner called the police, but the only officer available was already at the farm, according to the police report.

Hearing the call come in over his radio, the officer knew that the van involved in the crash was likely going to break down soon because he knew there was damage to the radiator.

When the officer found the van, Chanthavong got out of the van and the officer noticed that his lip was bleeding and he smelled of alcohol. Chanthavong told the officer he had been drinking in Cudahy and he “thought he was on I-794, and that he was lost."

Chanthavong’s blood-alcohol was .11, just above the legal limit.

When the officer brought Chanthavong to the jail, he fell asleep on one of the benches and the officer woke him up to tell him that at least two of the animals had to be euthanized.

Chanthavong asked the officer if he could eat the animals that he killed, but the officer told Chanthavong that he would probably not be able to get the animals since he probably wouldn’t be welcome there.