A goat in Remuera? You must be kidding

Urban goat. Photo / Herald on Sunday

The owners of a goat found wandering the streets of one of New Zealand's richest suburbs have been accused of animal cruelty.

The adult goat was found in a confused state in upmarket Remuera by animal control officers last week.

Residents on Mt Hobson Rd believed it had lived at a "party flat" and had been let loose when the tenants grew tired of it.

"It's such a callous, nasty thing to do," said one. "They are pathetic people if they think they can treat living things like objects."

Another said she walked past the house where the goat was staying and saw it in the backyard.

"I thought I was seeing things. You don't expect to see goats around here."

A man in his 20s who answered the door at the house yesterday denied the goat had lived at the house.

Proving ownership will be difficult if no one comes forward, said Auckland SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge.

"We don't get this very often unless idiots are involved. A lot of people don't realise but goats are very sensitive creatures.

"They also have excellent memories but tend to be used as lawnmowers."

Auckland City Council bylaws allow stock to be kept providing it's not a nuisance and "is kept in conditions which are not offensive or injurious to health".

The council has advertised for the goat's owner to come forward. If no one claims it, and it doesn't sell at auction, other options will be considered.

"The last thing we want to do is have it euthanased," said a spokesman. "Hopefully there is someone who will be keen to grab it."

And that could happen, after a Mt Hobson Rd resident promised to bid for the animal at the 10am auction on Wednesday at 24 Spring St, Freemans Bay. She said it wandered on to her property two weeks ago and stayed for three hours before walking off.

"I really like goats. It's really cute and we have a big backyard."

joseph.barratt@hos.co.nz