Five banished pet goats could possibly return home if the City
Council decides to change the city livestock regulations Wednesday.
In response to many requests by the Diana Avenue friends and
neighbors of Frank Dutra and his goats, Mayor Dennis Kennedy will
ask his colleagues to give the matter another thought. A front page
story in The Times on Sept. 11 about the animals
’ plight brought many calls and letters to the paper and to City
Hall. Dutra questioned the ordinance that says up to five dogs of
any size can occupy property of a quarter acre but no more than two
non-pet animals – goats, horses – can live on a much larger
property in the city limits and eve
n then they must be more than 100 feet from homes. In September
he was forced to move the animals, including three horses and a
mule, to a friend’s property in the Delta.
Five banished pet goats could possibly return home if the City Council decides to change the city livestock regulations Wednesday.

In response to many requests by the Diana Avenue friends and neighbors of Frank Dutra and his goats, Mayor Dennis Kennedy will ask his colleagues to give the matter another thought. A front page story in The Times on Sept. 11 about the animals’ plight brought many calls and letters to the paper and to City Hall.

Dutra questioned the ordinance that says up to five dogs of any size can occupy property of a quarter acre but no more than two non-pet animals – goats, horses – can live on a much larger property in the city limits and even then they must be more than 100 feet from homes. In September he was forced to move the animals, including three horses and a mule, to a friend’s property in the Delta.

Neighborhood children regularly came to visit, feed and pet Dutra’s goats.

Even though Dutra was never in compliance with the city’s ordinance – the property he rents has been inside the city limits since there were city limits (1906) the animals lived happily on seven acres at 815 Diana Ave. until someone – or two – complained and the city was forced to enforce the code.

Dutra said he was happy the council was going to take another look at the ordinance.

“I’ll be there,” Dutra said.

He’s bringing the goats’ friends along, too.

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A staff member wrote, edited or posted this article, which may include information provided by one or more third parties.

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