Dead Goat killed by

[RadSav]

The area where it began eating makes me think cat. Young lion.

Huh!  That is what got me to thinking coyote or wolf.

[DOUBLELUNG]

This reminds me of a yearling mule deer I jumped a bobcat off several years ago.  I'd love to see high res photos; I see a scratch on the muzzle and a possible canine puncture just below and behind the mandible.  The lack of blood associated with the trail of gut contents indicates post-mortem struggling with the carcass, rather than premortem kill struggles.  The attempted evisceration suggests a struggling cat to me, either inexperienced or dealing with a larger than normal prey item.  The chunk of what appears to be lung away from the carcass also suggests cat to me, as does the deliberate-looking cut and location of the entry through the hide.  Dog attacks I've seen are characterized by bites everywhere, and the lack of apparent bloodshot or bruising at the feeding site tells me it didn't experience crushing bites premortem, so I'm inclined away from canines wild or domestic.  I see a couple of possible small canine punctures in the fascia at the feeding site, and the rather delicate feeding rules away from bear or canine.  Also, the intact udder makes me skeptical of bear.  Feeding pattern and evisceration aren't right for an eagle.  I don't know what the predator was, but I'm inclined first to a large bobcat and if not, secondary a young cougar.  I'm not concerned it's not covered up, bobcats often don't and if a cougar it probably was disturbed before it could eat its fill and cache - but, I'd expect a cougar to drag it to cover before feeding, unless there isn't any in the pen. 

I'd really like to skin back that neck and look for punctures, and size and spacing.  I'd also be looking for scat in the vicinity, doesn't look like you'll get tracks in that locale.  I'm eager to learn what you know!  Thanks for sharing.

[RadSav]

I'd love to see high res photos; I see a scratch on the muzzle and a possible canine puncture just below and behind the mandible. 

I'd really like to skin back that neck and look for punctures, and size and spacing.  I'd also be looking for scat in the vicinity, doesn't look like you'll get tracks in that locale.  I'm eager to learn what you know!  Thanks for sharing.

I blew the photo up and with the amount of purple splotches I just could not tell for sure.  One time I look at it and it looks like punctures the next time it doesn't.  I too would like a better look at the neck.

The stomach and intestines being opened made me eliminate cat altogether - Bobcat or Cougar.

But what do I know    I took a one hour course back in 1985 before doing state nuisance control.  30 years is a bit of a stretch for my feeble mind to remember anything for certain.  These days I'm lucky to remember that I even took that course

I like these type of threads!  I too am eager to learn how little I know    These are fun!

[jrebel]

Why does pic #1 and 2 not have stomach contents rolling out of the wound and Pic #3 and 4 do? 

Pic #5 shows large amounts of stomach contents 5-10 feet away from where the goat lays now?  Could it have died in Pic #5 and been dragged to where it lays in the other pics?

Hmmmmm......I have no idea, but can't wait to here what comes of this.   

My total guess is dog of some sort.  I think I remember seeing on some national geographic program that cats eat from underbelly first. 

[Widgeondeke]

Bird of prey ?

[docsven]

The area where it began eating makes me think cat. Young lion.

Huh!  That is what got me to thinking coyote or wolf.

Not because of the stomach, because of the hindquarter.  Looks like a lot of meat missing off the round. Could be a cat started on it, and left, and a coyote came along and started on the guts.
This should be interesting.

[RadSav]

Could be a cat started on it, and left, and a coyote came along and started on the guts.

Ooooo!  Now that is a fun twist...Nice

[fastdam]

I'm going with a coyote.

[actionshooter]

That's a domestic dog, I have seen the exact same thing when I was running packgoats and Alpinegus who is a member here had the same thing happen to one of his packgoats.

I don't know what it is, but dogs love the chase goats.

[RadSav]

We have had goats, sheep and calves killed by domestic dogs.  Always seemed more like a mauling than a tactical strike.  Maybe all the neighbor dogs were worthless hunters

[Bullkllr]

I'm going with young cougar that got a little messy getting at choice innards.

[stew pidasso]

Was there a pig in the pen with the goat?

[RadSav]

Was there a pig in the pen with the goat?

I thought of asking that question too 

Although on Catalina a goat wouldn't make it four hours before nothing was left.  Once had a buffalo killed by a hunter, supposedly self defense-ha, on a Friday afternoon and by Monday morning there was nothing but a 12" deep hole in the ground where the bison had been.  Darn pigs even ate the dirt

[pianoman9701]

There was a wolf hit by a car in North Bend today.  It's pretty close to Monroe as the wolf runs. That could clear this question up a bit.

[RadSav]

The anticipation grows!!!