[Pearls Before Swine]

Actually, it was the neighbor who didn’t keep his cattle on his own property who should have gone to court to get his cattle back. In court the issue of reimbursement of feed could be addressed at the same time.

I know, and I agree. The farmer who had the cattle should have gone to court, and said he was holding the cattle pending resolution of the affair. The judge would probably have ordered him to return the cattle, and the neighbor to pay.

Unfortunately, once he escalated by tossing the police, government ego came into play.

[DoughtyOne]

Yes it did. He didn’t steal the cattle and he didn’t refuse to return them if remunerated. The police should have had the good sense not to involve themselves in the issue. Unfortunately, this was like honey in a bear trap.