Seattle council OKs goats as pets

Residents can now keep miniature goats as pets in Seattle, the City Council decided this afternoon.

The bill was sponsored by Councilmember Richard Conlin, who called it a small step for sustainability.

"They do provide milk and cheese to people who are allergic to cow's milk, and they can be used to take care of brush in people's yards," said Conlin. "They are also another link to the reality of where food comes from."

Minigoats, which include pygmy and dwarf goats, are about the size of a large dog, weighing between 50 and 100 pounds.

Jennie Grant, a Madrona resident who keeps minigoats, approached Conlin after a neighbor asked the city to investigate whether the pets posed a danger to public health.

Grant started the Goat Justice League, which now has 100 members, to lobby council to make the goats legal pets. Conlin said his office researched public health risks and they are low.

"We would be a really charming city if we were a place people could keep minifarms with chickens, goats, a vegetable garden and fruit trees," said Grant, who keeps chickens in addition to her goats.

Under the previous land-use code, farm animals could not be kept on lots smaller than 20,000 square feet. The law passed Monday classified minigoats as a small animal rather than a farm animal, and it requires that they be licensed, just like dogs, cats, exotic animals and potbellied pigs.

Sharon Pian Chan: 206-464-2958 or schan@seattletimes.com