BBC News - Sydney goat's flower-eating crime dismissed 23 January 2013 Last updated at 04:44 A magistrate in Australia has dismissed charges against a man fined after his goat ate flowers outside the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. James Dezarnaulds had been ordered to pay the A$440 (£293; $464) penalty for damaging vegetation last August. Police had argued that Mr Dezarnaulds acted recklessly in allowing the hungry goat to approach the flower bed. But the magistrate said there was no evidence that the owner, a touring comedian, had put Gary to the deed. Magistrate Carolyn Barkell said Mr Dezarnaulds had no control over what the animal might eat, and was unaware of his preference for flowers over grass. She added that the fine should never had been issued. "Gary the Goat taught the... cops a valuable lesson... don't bite off more than you can chew," Mr Dezarnaulds said after the verdict. Gary was not called to give evidence and waited outside the court, surrounded by reporters.