Investigators are looking for the public's help after a startling and grim discovery inside an agriculture class at Fallbrook High School.

A week ago, on the morning of graduation at Fallbrook High, a six-month-old goat named Forest was found dead with his front and hind legs duct-taped together, along with his muzzle.

"I cried because what kind of person would do that to an animal?" said Fallbrook High School junior Vilma Rodriguez, the owner of the goat.

Rodriguez's sense of disbelief is shared by her agriculture teacher Scott Duffin.

"Taking something from a kid, that's not right," said Duffin.

Around 5:30 a.m. last Tuesday, a security guard spotted a hooded figure running from the animal area. On the ground was Forest, a Tennessee fainting goat -- a breed known for fainting when scared. Forest was suffocated by the duct tape, and next to him was another young Tennessee fainting goat with its front legs taped together.

Duffin said he believes the person responsible hopped over a fence behind the animal area. Detectives believe the man was interrupted before he finished the job.

"It's a felony. It's tragic. One would like to think it was a prank gone awry or someone could have been trying to steal the goats," said San Diego County Sheriff's Lt. Robert Haley.

Each of the goats costs hundreds of dollars to buy and feed. Rodriguez planned on taking Forest to the San Diego County Fair in hopes of finding him a new owner once the class project ended.

"It makes me angry that someone would actually do something like that," said Rodriguez.

Detectives said they have sent the duct tape to be tested for fingerprints and DNA. They believe the culprit is about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weights 180 pounds.

Anyone with information related to this case is asked to call the Fallbrook Sheriff's Substation.