Readers' Comments
Article:
Mon, Apr 14 | By Pet Pulse Staff Reports | 132
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- A goat is in the middle of a controversy between its owner and the city officials that have been tasked with determining whether it can be considered a pet. If they decide it's not an animal companion, the goat named S… more ›
81 results
5ineveryroom
5 years ago
I realizw that this goat is considered a pet, but the zoning laws are there to protect both people and animals. Sorry, but if you want to keep farm animals, then move to a farm.
Berrypatch573
5 years ago
Actually, goats make great pets. They're really good at mowing lawns, pulling weeds, keeping pesky strange animals away, keeping fence rows clear, keeping brush cleared, and being generally affectionate and loyal. My cousin has one who climbs in his boat on the riverbank and waits for his beloved owner to come and give him a ride down the river. It's his greatest joy in life. He is definitely a pet, following his owner everywhere, helping him with chores, and protecting him from other animals and people. Most dogs are not this loyal.
Jessica H.
5 years ago
i think it is weird for people to have farm animals as pets that live in homes
Kittypassion
5 years ago
Have mixed emotions on this issue. If you allow one person to have an "unusual" animal as a pet, it could open up areas that could later cause problems. But, on the other hand, if the pet is not causing any problem to anyone, then why should government control what you want as a pet.
Teresa C.
5 years ago
Well, as long as it is not endangering the health and well being of the community and is being kept solely as a pet I don't see a problem with her having a goat. I do wonder how the city became aware that she had a goat. Maybe there is a problem a neighbor had with the goat and reported it, I don't know but I think something is missing in this story.
Fooj
5 years ago
I can see just one goat being a pet. But 9 chickens sounds like something else. The reason why such farm animals are banned in residential areas is because they dont' want people raising animals for food in their backyards. In Hawaii, you are allowed to only have 2 chickens in a residential area.
Sarah B.
5 years ago
Aww. Why are they bothering about this poor lady & her goat? Does she live on a small city plot not large enough for a goat? I could understand if the goat is a nusiance to the neighbors & gets in the road all the time. The article didn't mention neighbors or any complaints at all. If the owner is taking good care of Szokie & he has the proper space etc. Why bother with it? It seems to me City officials should have more important issues to be worrying about. They can turn a blind eye on certain things as long as it doesn't get out of hand. City officials turn a blind eye all the time on much more important situations daily. Stop wasting tax $ and let her have her goat on her property. We can't have officials telling us what is a pet & what is not. As long as the animals are taken well care of leave it be.
Louise W.
5 years ago
I believe any animal that lives in any given home and its taken care of medically and physically, should be allowed too. Personally I wouldn't want a cow or horse in my home but a small animal? Why not? Some people have pigs that are litter trained to name one. Why not a goat?
Brooke K.
5 years ago
I really understand the logic behind the rules. Around the city where I live it is all too common to see a horse tethered in someone's backyard with barely a tenth of an acre to walk. Some animals require special care, such as farm stock. Also, if you have too many they can create a serious health hazard if kept in too small a space, for both the animals and humans. However, in this case I think it is clear that the goat is very well and properly cared for and it shouldn't even be an issue. Let the woman have her goat. It's not her fault that a goat won her heart instead of a dog. It may rip her life apart to lose her beloved animal. Cat, dog, goat, rat...what does it matter?! It's furry, has four legs and adores you......it's a pet!!
Silver Dragon Pets N.
5 years ago
If miniature horses can be classified as therapy pets and kept within city limits, I see no reason why someone can't keep a goat as a pet. She obviously has no intention of slaughtering him, and being a male, he's not being used for milk; which would lead me to believe his sole purpose is to be a pet - not a farm animal (ie - raised for a "purpose").
Teresa C.
5 years ago
I'm not sure what I think about this story. On one hand, I can see how her goat could completely be a pet. On the other hand, if the area she lives in is very residential, then I can see how her neighbors could have a problem with her having the goat. I'm on the fence here.
Amy R.
5 years ago
i think it's a tough call for the city. I understand not wanting farm animals in a residential place, reason being not enough space for them... but if there is enough land and the animal is being taken care of then why get involved. Smaller "farm" animals could do very well in a regular "city" yard. Would love to see a follow up story.
Rjlupinskat
5 years ago
I'm disappointed in my own state. For a Commonwealth that prizes its equines as not only business and agriculture, but as pets, some officials seem to be completely blind to the fact that what constitutes a pet or companion animal is not limited to specific breeds/species/convention.
If she cares properly for him, he's well off, and her neighbors are not being inconvenienced (within reason), then why the fuss?
Jessica L.
5 years ago
I think that as long as the animal is taken care of and she does not have a yard full of goats, then she should be allowed to keep the goat. If her home can provide enough space for the animal to graze and live happily then who cares? If the goat is misbehaving or escaping all the time, then I think something should be done.
tsmackley
5 years ago
Of course Szokie is a pet, it is all in how they are raised. I have had many pets that weren't everyones idea of the normal pet. Just because you don't consider it a pet doesn't make your opinion right!
I have bottle fed lambs and they follow you around just like a puppy, goats aren't much different. as long as it is kept in and is not getting into mischief it should be left with its family!!!
Mind your own business I say!
Amanda R.
5 years ago
You haven't lived near goats before. I used to live across the street from people that kept goats, they smell horrible and so do the people that keep them. They don't belong in residential areas not just because of the smell but because they are escape artists , they even escaped from an electric fense.
5ineveryroom
5 years ago
I agree. The city has rules and laws for a reason. If they let her keep a goat and chickens and who knows what else, then they willl have to let everyone keep livestock in their backyard.
Kadiquilts
5 years ago
To each his own! As long as Szokie is well cared for and doesn't bother anyone else--why not?
Theranddav
5 years ago
There is definatly a difference between pet and farm animal. She doesn't live on a farm and this animal is not for milk, food, or any other human need except companionship. I can understand the need for a law to seperate farm animals and pets. But there should be a clause for small "farm animals" as pets. I know you shouldn't have a horse or cow in a small back yard. But some goats are smaller than some dogs that people have! If you own your property, the animal is being properly cared for, and you have a little common sense about the type of animal that you want as a pet in a residential area, I don't see the problem. Let this woman keep her goat!!
Rjlupinskat
5 years ago
I quite agree. If the goat is happy and well cared for, and not offending the neighbors, they really don't need to raise such a fuss.
There ARE definitely worse situations in this state.
Patricia C.
5 years ago
I think people have a right to have whatever type pet they choose on their own property. She pays her taxes, and the city should not have a right to tell her what kind of animal she can or cannot own.
sharon d.
5 years ago
As much as I love goats,I couldn't picture them hanging out on the living room floor with the kids and watching television. I'm all for getting animals out of the elements of seasonal weather,and keeping pets, etc,but lets face it,goats definitely need room to exercise,and eat grass,and do goat things.Those are my opinions though. Maybe if I had a huge yard ,and some sort of mini barn ,I'd choose to keep one for an outside pet,but I can't say either way right now.
As for the rooster,at least they generally make their noise around the same time every morning,(unless they're still learning)and then it's a done deal.
I work 12 hour night shifts and come home in the morning to sleep.My neighbor has a dog that escapes the yard at least 3 times a week,the neighbor then goes to work,and the dog will literally sit there and continuously bark until the owner gets gets back home from work at the end of the day.This dog barks non stop if hes out for any given time,so I'm thinking the rooster may be the lesser of the evils.....lol
Unfortunately ,our laws fall too often into gray areas.I know a Black/White answer is sometimes difficult, but when there are too many gray areas,it causes too many questions and problems.
You can't tell me that being a city resident,I can't have a goat or a few chickens, but yet there's Joe Schmo living next to me with a 12 foot Boa because that just wouldn't make sense,or sit too well with me at all..
Animal Cruelty,Abuse,Over population, stray animal roaming,and Pet Ordinance confusion and problems are worse than ever.
These problems have been around for a long time, but are not given any serious thought or threat, until they make the headlines.
We need to change a lot of laws,we need to enforce them,we need to punish violators more severely,and we really need to come up with an "across the board "legislation for the entire country.If the laws are the same in all the states,there won't be confusion or doubt.
You can't be allowed to own Monkeys in Florida,but not in Colorado-- It shouldn't be okay to keep a farm animal in one city,but not in another,etc.,etc......
I know that there are a lot of people who feel as if the government has too much say so in our lives as it is ,but lets face it---Animals are a huge part of our lives,and we spend gazillions on care,food,housing etc. The bad side is that we also spend gazillions,fixing all our screw ups with shelter overpopulation,spay an Vac programs,, rehoming, opening more and more Exotic Sanctuaries for all unwanted Exotics,and the lists and costs go on and on.
I know that this all started with to have or not have a pet goat,but people have to look at the overall big picture
We have this plummeting "Domino effect" going on,and it needs to be addressed from all sides to make any sort of positive changes,because these factors all link together.
Thebillpayer
5 years ago
It comes down-what harm is having the goat? Are the neighbors complaining? Is the goat healthy and happy (unlike so many puppy mill dog breeders we hear about)?
Sometimes I think politicians have too much time to worry about this type of thing and don't worry about the bigger things.....I am very curious about their support of any shelters, animal rescues, and any trap and release programs in their area. That's where we need help.
Acedogg2001
5 years ago
You know, if the goat has a good life and is happy, what is the difference? It would be like having a large dog.
betty p.
5 years ago
Most folks who live in a city want a normal city life. Nice quiet neighborhood, but close enough to all the things cities have like stores, restaurants, malls, etc.
Folks who live in the county want a normal country life. They live on acres and they also know more than likely their neighbor no matter how close will more than likely have animals of all kinds. After all they live in the country.
If I lived in the city and my neighbor had animals that were annoying, then I would be upset. I would expect quiet as the law states.
So if this goat was quiet, stayed on their property, cause no harm to the neighbors okay. But if it makes alot of noise, destroys property,etc, then it goes.
We live on 5 acres along with everybody else on our road. So it is quiet, but I would be okay with some farm noise as most of the houses around here have extra acres of farm land.
However, while we removed, we moved into town. The amount of noise from the neighbors down the street whose coonhounds and beagles were always kenneled outside caused me to never open our windows because they never shut up.
So again, I would say if it is quiet and not causing problems, if the owner is taking proper care of it, if the yard does not stink, let it stay.
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