We've 'goat' to do something

Contributed

A KID-like problem has started to emerge for Bundaberg Regional Council, with staff having to impound up to  15 wandering goats in the past few months.

Brett Heidke, Bundaberg Regional Council local laws and health regulatory service team leader, said the goats, which were held for 28 days at the council’s pound in Bargara, had been found on the side of the road, mostly in the Kolan area.

The latest goat to be impounded, an all-black male sporting a blue collar, was found on Birthamba Road, South Kolan, blissfully unaware of how much trouble he had caused.

“It’s dangerous having animals on the road; it could cause an accident,” Mr Heidke said.

“Someone may swerve to miss it and there could be a pretty bad accident if a car is coming the other way.”

He said there was one simple and common reason for the goats’ straying.

“If owners haven’t got the correct and suitable fencing, they will get out,” he said.

Owners whose goats do escape can be up for hefty penalties.

Mr Heidke said if a goat was found wandering but not impounded, they could suffer a $100 on-the-spot fine.

Fees to get goats released from the pound depended on the length of the goats’ stays.

Fines of up to $100 could also be given to goat owners who have not fixed unsuitable fencing after receiving a warning notice.

RSPCA regional inspector Patrick Yeates said goats were quite challenging animals to keep.

“With any type of livestock, it is very important to keep the correct fencing, especially goats, because they are quite the escape artists,” he said.

Mr Yeates agreed that loose goats could be dangerous.

“They are going to pose some public risk if they are close to the roadway,” he said.

Mr Yeates said, like with any animal, it was important to know what you were getting into before purchasing a goat.

“You have to do your homework,” he said.

“If you are going to keep any livestock, know what fencing they need.”

Mr Heidke encouraged residents not to bother police if they saw a stray goat, but to call the council instead.

“The best thing to do if you come across any stray animals is to ring 1300 883 699 at any time,” Mr Heidke said.

“Someone may swerve to miss it and there could be a pretty bad accident.”