Radford University fraternities release statements regarding alleged goat mistreatment

RADFORD (WSLS 10) - Radford University says it is temporarily suspending four fraternities for possibly mistreating a goat.

The university was notified about the incident on Sunday. Delta Chi, Sigma Pi, Pi Lambda Phi, and Alpha Sigma Phi were placed on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation.

On Tuesday afternoon, WSLS 10 received this statement from the national Delta Chi Fraternity:

The Delta Chi Fraternity International Headquarters staff has been in communication with our chapter's leadership, alumni advisors, and campus administrators at Radford University regarding this alleged incident. We've asked our members to fully cooperate with University and local authorities, and to provide any information they may have to help swiftly resolve this situation. The University has placed Delta Chi and three other fraternity chapters on temporary suspension until the investigation is complete.

Here is a statement from the Radford University's chapter of Pi Lambda Phi:

Pi Lambda Phi- Theta Xi Chapter acknowledges that there was incident off campus with a goat. On December 3rd some members posed for pictures with the animal on Fairfax Street. We admit that the situation was unfortunate, and had no part in the allegations that the goat was harmed or mistreated. Upon being contacted by RUPD we assisted in their efforts to try and locate the animal and the owner but inevitably could not. We regret that the incident is occurring and distracting students from finals week.

That investigation follows an internet uproar after a post about abuse on the "Goats of Anarchy" Instagram account.

An online petition with more than 500 signatures calls for the goat to be freed.

The petition alleges that the goat is being raised by pledges in order for them to then kill it as initiation into the fraternity, but provided no evidence.

The university says it takes this allegation seriously, and anyone with information on the mistreatment or the location of the animal should call Radford Police.