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Richmond council postpones decision on resident's request to keep two dwarf goats
Summary
The Richmond City Council voted June 2 to postpone a decision on Scott Bell’s request to keep two Nigerian dwarf goats at 67808 Leelang Court, citing the age of the city’s animal ordinance and neighbor concerns; the goats are currently on the property and the city will revisit the request at a July meeting.
The Richmond City Council on June 2 postponed consideration of a request by resident Scott Bell to keep two Nigerian dwarf goats at 67808 Leelang Court until the council’s second meeting and workshop in July.
The item matters because it is the first request the council has received to keep four‑legged farm animals inside city limits beyond previously permitted chickens and a single domesticated pig, and because council members said the city’s animal ordinance dates to the 1960s and may need review before the body permits a new category of animals. City Manager (name not specified) summarized the application and told council that the subject lot is about 0.64 acres and that the nearest neighboring houses are roughly 93 and 98 feet away.
Bell, the applicant, told council the animals are “brought in, to provide therapeutic benefits to the family,” and said he began the permitting process with the Richmond Police Department and city staff after acquiring the goats. He said the goats have been on his property for two weeks and that he takes responsibility for their care and cleanliness. Neighbor Brian McCarty told council he “welcome[s] them” and described miniature goats as “very docile. They're good with kids. They don't bite. They don't bark.”
Another neighbor, Lenore Warren, who lives directly behind the property, urged the council to deny the request and said she had expected a permit before the animals arrived: “I was under the impression that we had to have a permit, but they're already in my backyard.” Warren raised concerns about odor and pests and said the animals have wandered across the backyard while on site.
The city manager told council that staff mailed notices to eight adjacent property owners and received two letters in favor and two letters opposing the goats; staff also received one phone call from a neighborhood resident opposing the request. The manager said the city attorney reviewed whether the Fair Housing Act applied and “indicated that it wasn't relevant to this request.” Bell said the male goat is scheduled to be neutered the following day and that adult goats of the breed typically weigh about 60 pounds.
A council member moved to postpone the request until the council’s second meeting and workshop in July to allow staff, the attorney and council time to evaluate health, safety and welfare implications and to review the animal ordinance. The motion was seconded and passed. Council suggested Bell remain in contact with the city manager while the item is pending.
No formal change to the ordinance was made at the meeting; council members said they wanted more time to consider whether the existing rules — written in the mid‑1960s, according to remarks at the meeting — appropriately address non‑poultry animals in residential neighborhoods.
The council vote to postpone was taken orally; council instructed staff to prepare any needed background for the July meeting and did not set a decision date beyond the second July meeting and workshop.
