So there has been a bit of a set back. I attended another Animal Control Advisory Board meeting last night and a couple of issues have arisen.
1) The USDA (or was it the MDA?) is in the process of changing a regulation in Michigan that requires all livestock to have identification ear tags (and not just animals being imported into Michigan) in order to keep records on disease such as scrapie (the version of mad-cow that goats and sheep can get). In addition, entities such as the Ingham County animal shelter will be required to slaughter any un-tagged goats they pick up. Unlike un-registered dogs, which get impounded and eventually re-homed, goats will get impounded and slaughtered, with no option of re-homing. The animal shelter does not want to be responsible for "disposing" of the animals and also doesn't want to get a bad rap. Having to slaughter someone's untagged pet goat would be a public-relations nightmare! Furthermore, even if we specifically state in our goat ordinance that "ALL GOATS MUST HAVE IDENTIFYING EAR TAGS" a lot of people won't pay attention to the rules...and as a result, their animal could get needlessly slaughtered.
2) The Ingham County Animal Shelter is already under-funded and under-staffed. Allowing any new "critter" in the county will inevitably make more work for them. Regardless of how clearly spelled-out the regulations are in the goat ordinance, many people will obtain goats without ever reading the regulations. A possible way to "pay-back" the animal shelter for having to deal with goats will be to require a licensing fee (like a dog license).
The plan is to collect more information on the USDA regulation and figure out the issues with the animal shelter and/or licensing fees. Then we will meet with the Animal Control Advisory Board again in late March (they only meet every other month). If the advisory board approves the updated resolution, then we can go to the Law Enforcement Committee to get the resolution passed (hopefully).
Sorry to hear of your set backs, I know that is beyond frustrating! Thanks for stopping by my blog a while back and commenting on the "goat sweaters". They do not try and eat them at all. When I first put them on them, they did nip at them a bit but only as.. WHAT IS THIS, but it was very short lived. The damage was done to the little coats by them rubbing up against the barn gate, which tore little holes in it. Thanks again for your interest!
ReplyDeleteAny news?
Delete:)
~Steve
122 Clemens N
Hello.
ReplyDeleteYou don't have your name, number, or email address up anywhere on the blog!
I live in Lansing and am interested in getting a goat or two. I've worked with goats before, but still have a lot to figure out: fencing, neighbors, housing, milking equipment and storage, and not least legal issues. Which is why I was delighted to find this blog this afternoon. So my question: what has happened in the last two months with your campaign!? Did you get a yes or a no? Can I help? Also, what is the current legal status and enforcement???
-Brad,
222 Horton St.
wbbaughman@gmail.com
I support the legalization of goats in Lansing! Though there have been some obvious setbacks, the fact that this has been brought to the table is progress.
ReplyDeleteA licensing fee would be an appropriate way to offset costs. I agree with having them individually tagged, too. They can be destructive little buggers and, like all other animals, must be dealt with responsibly.
Are there any updates from the Animal Control Advisory Board, from March or April? Your blog is invaluable to local homesteaders and I hope you find the time to update again soon!