We petition the city to allow the lawful keeping of miniature pet goats within the city limits.

Miniature goats, which include pygmy and dwarf goats, are no larger than big dogs. The average mini-goat weighs between 35 to 65 pounds. Miniature goats are excellent pets due to their good-natured personalities, friendliness, faithfulness, and hardy constitution.

Female and neutered male goats do not generate significant odors, are not violent, do not wander the neighborhood like cats or generate the noise that dogs do, and are no more likely to spread disease than dogs or cats.

Many major cities (among them San Diego and Seattle) now allow miniature goats as pets, with no ill effects or problems. With our region's rich agricultural history and the overwhelming recent support of self-sufficiency through beneficial backyard urban animals such as chickens, there is no reason that the City of Visalia should not adopt a similar Ordinance for miniature goats.

I request that the City Council repeal the Ordinance that categorizes miniature goats as livestock and allow miniature goats as pets within city limits.