Need advice please

Hello,

I know this is my first post, but I am so upset. My neighbor recently acquired a little goat. Cute thing. However, it doesn't have a buddy of any sort, decent shelter or proper food. I have tried to talk to the neighbor, but his attitude it is just an animal. And I don't know anything about goats. Which is true, I don't. But it's constant bleating is really upsetting and I have been sick to my stomach for days.

And yes, it stays in that pen.

You attempted to speak to the individual yourself - which is always my first suggestion in situations where a person feels safe in doing so. That didn't satisfy you, so if you truly feel the conditions warrant it, contact animal control. They will do a site visit and evaluate the conditions for themselves. However, be prepared/know that often your interpretation of what meets the minimum standard and what the minimum standards set out by law (which AC must follow) can differ quite a bit.

I'm so sorry you have to live next door to the poor goat. It makes you wonder why in the world they got a goat if they won't take care of it!

It is a little pygmy goat in the furthest corner of his lot. I did give him food for thought the other day. A single, crying lonely goat could very well draw predators such as coyotes And with chickens and grandchildren we don't need that., Not to mention the stray dogs running around. A few months age there was a news report of a 'coyote' attacking a small child in town.

I just got my first goat, he is a solo goat for the time being he is 3 weeks and a bottle baby. He does make noise calling out for his mother and siblings as they were only seperated yesterday but he has became attached to my Chihuahua and maltese dogs they are his dog buddies! I dont necessarily think owning one goat is wrong as long as that goat has sufficient attention and love! For instance my goat follows me im his mom and when hes not with me he follows the girl dogs. As for his living conditions if he is stuck in the pen all day long that is cruel in my mind goats are supposed to have a pen at least 15 sq ft per goat but also allowed to graz freely. That pen does not seem big enough to be the goats permanent residence. If hes in there 24/7 that could also be the reason hes so noisy!

MakelaNJoe said:

I just got my first goat, he is a solo goat for the time being he is 3 weeks and a bottle baby. He does make noise calling out for his mother and siblings as they were only seperated yesterday but he has became attached to my Chihuahua and maltese dogs they are his dog buddies! I dont necessarily think owning one goat is wrong as long as that goat has sufficient attention and love! For instance my goat follows me im his mom and when hes not with me he follows the girl dogs. As for his living conditions if he is stuck in the pen all day long that is cruel in my mind goats are supposed to have a pen at least 15 sq ft per goat but also allowed to graz freely. That pen does not seem big enough to be the goats permanent residence. If hes in there 24/7 that could also be the reason hes so noisy!

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Unless you and/or the dogs are with him 24/7 then yes, it is wrong. I'm sorry if that comes across as rude, but goats are herd animals. Dogs don't make suitable herd mates for them. Please get your little guy a friend.

I dont think its rude i just beliece we all have our opinions and our right to them. I have 2 dogs with him 24/7 even when hes with me. He seems pretty happy to me and also to the breeder! He was the one the mom couldnt feed and was already somewhat on his own. I truly believe hes healthy a!d happy here!

My neighbor has a solitary goat; she's been happily living alone for ~3 years now. Goats CAN be happy being alone, the owner just needs to be able to recognize IF the goat is doing well alone or not.

We even tried to get the neighbor's goat to buddy up with one of my 9 goats. Was NOT happening. Gave it 3 days, and then let her loose and she ran back to neighbor's house (about 1500' away). That goat wants to be alone. We share a property line, so the lone goat can see - hear - smell my goats and she still wants nothing to do with them.

OP, it is also possible that this goat has been acquired to be eaten by humans, in which case it's housing arrangements are just temporary. Goat meat and "backyard butchering" of goats is getting more and more common all over the US. Most consumers of goat meat don't have a preference as to the size or breed of goat, moreso that it was a cheap purchase. I live outside Washington, DC, and have TONS of local people who butcher goats they have bought locally.

bpmcwill said:

Hello,

I know this is my first post, but I am so upset. My neighbor recently acquired a little goat. Cute thing. However, it doesn't have a buddy of any sort, decent shelter or proper food. I have tried to talk to the neighbor, but his attitude it is just an animal. And I don't know anything about goats. Which is true, I don't. But it's constant bleating is really upsetting and I have been sick to my stomach for days.

And yes, it stays in that pen.

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Time to get animal control in the picture for neglect. Animals are required by animal control to have basic shelter, food, and water. Shelter and adequate food is not being provided, so the call would be justified. Animal control however, will not require that the goat is kept with another goat, even if she is severely stressed from being kept alone. Unless the animal is removed from that situation, she will have a short life.

Considering it has been two weeks since you posted, I sincerely hope something has changed with the situation since then.

MakelaNJoe said:

I dont think its rude i just beliece we all have our opinions and our right to them. I have 2 dogs with him 24/7 even when hes with me. He seems pretty happy to me and also to the breeder! He was the one the mom couldnt feed and was already somewhat on his own. I truly believe hes healthy a!d happy here!

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It isn't an opinion. It is a fact that it is wrong. Goats are herd animals. In order to be healthy and stress free, they must be kept with another goat at least, the more the better. You are doing your goat a diservice by keeping him improperly. Your breeder was very irresponsible to sell him to an owner as a single goat, too.

Res, glad that goat is OK alone in that situation. That is one of the rare situations where it works. The animal was given companionship, and didn't want it. Most goats suffer when kept alone.

edited by staff