A farmer lost most of his crops last month when his neighbour's goats strayed on to his farm and destroyed them.

The farmer said he planted corn and peas and within the next two months he was looking forward to reaping and selling them to vendors.

"When I went to my farm one afternoon, I saw about eight goats roaming through my crops," the farmer explained.

"I called the owner for the goats and he said he did not know they would have strayed from his farm on to my farm. He did not offer to compensate me for my crops.

"I called a friend to value the damage to my farm and he estimated it at $20,000.

I gave my neighbour the estimate and he became very boisterous towards me and even threatened to harm me.

"I worked very hard to plant my crops and even paid some men to assist me. Now I will not be able to benefit from my hard work, because my neighbour has refused to pay me.

"I even suggested to him that he could sell some of his goats to compensate me for the damage to my crops, but he cursed me and chased me away from his gate.

"The man says he did not let go the goats on my property. He described me as worthless and heartless to want to charge him for the damage the goats did to my crops.

"Some of his relatives have even cursed me over the incident. They, too, are saying I should not want to charge my neighbour for the crops that the goats damaged.

"I even told them that if my dogs had eaten my neighbours' goats, I am sure he would want me to pay for them. They say the goats are of far more value than my crops so I would have to pay for the goats.

"I became very angry when they told me those things and so I made a report to the police. The police have advised me to sue my neighbour for the crops, but I am not sure how the court will view the matter," he said

There are several other cases like yours in which people have filed suits in the court to recover damages for the loss of their crops. Once you can prove that the goats destroyed your crops, the judge will rule in your favour and order your neighbour to compensate you for the damaged crops.