A white goat was spotted roaming through residential streets in Berkeley Heights on Thursday, July 9, and as of the weekend, neither the animal nor its owner had been found.

Residents reported seeing the distinctly marked goat trotting unaccompanied along Emerson Lane, Branko Road and North Road. One witness described the animal "cloppeting down the streets on its own," according to a TAPinto Berkeley Heights report.

Councilman Bill Machado, who has animal control training and responded in his capacity as a township official, said he was called after the initial sighting and searched the area but could not locate the goat.

"So far, no one has seen him since, and no one has reported him missing at either Warren or Berkeley Heights police departments," Machado said.

Machado also serves as an Animal Control Officer for the City of Plainfield.

The goat's identity and how it wound up wandering a residential neighborhood remain unclear. No owner has contacted either the Warren Township or Berkeley Heights police departments to report a missing animal.

Township officials did not say when a goat was last reported loose in Berkeley Heights, suggesting the sighting was unusual.

Residents who see the goat or any loose farm animal should not attempt to capture it themselves. Instead, contact the Berkeley Heights Police Department or Township Hall at 908-464-2700.

The goat's whereabouts remain unknown as of Sunday, July 13.