There's no excuse for vandalism ... or is there?

Retired Cal Fire Capt. Dale Drozen said that during frequent trips along Highway 41 below Coarsegold, he's noticed that a display of a fiberglass horse on a wagon with other smaller figurines often was knocked down.

Drozen was dismayed by the obvious repeat vandalism. But whoever owns the little roadside display always restored it.

This week, Drozen saw the vandal, obviously getting ready to do his dastardly deed again. But it wan't what he expected.

Standing on the wagon was a very determined billy goat, head down and tail wagging furiously.

As Drozen drove past, that goat was about to give the old plastic horse another thrashing.

-- Charles McCarthy