The Gordon Head schoolgirl who wants the right to raise a pygmy goat in her family’s yard should be tapped to try it out, a Saanich committee says.
The environment and natural areas committee, chaired by Coun. Dean Murdock, recommended this week that council undertake a feasibility study for properties and a hands-on pilot project led by 11-year-old Jillian McCue.
“The McCue family is keen to adopt a goat and Jillian has already received support from her neighbours,” Murdock said.
“For those reasons, the committee thought that the McCue family might be a good candidate for a pilot project that looks at the feasibility of backyard goats in Saanich.”
Jillian McCue has already addressed and gained the support of three committees and Mayor Richard Atwell.
“All three committees agree in principle that miniature goats are a good idea, and have asked Saanich to look into things further,” she said in an email.
A Gordon Head Middle School student, Jillian said she would welcome getting a goat as part of a pilot project. She told councillors that kids can be purchased for $105 from the Beacon Hill Petting Zoo.
“If it’s a brown goat, I’d name it Brownie. If it was cream coloured, I’d name it Milk Shake. If it is black and white, I’d name it Oreo.” Goats are sweet, and require suitable names, she said.
Jillian said she had contacted Seattle city hall and found that the 50 yard goats registered there have not generated complaints.
Murdock said he’s “just so impressed” by Jillian’s efforts and research, saying plenty of adults wouldn’t have the courage to go before so many council committees.
Still, Saanich residents deserve a forum to state their concerns pro and con about any similar policy and how those would be addressed, Murdock said.
