Neighbour and goat AIBU?

[Reggit99]

Help please! AIBU?????

We have neighbours who are perfectly fine normally. They moved here before covid so early 2020 I met them a few times then, all seemed fine. They were nice to my husband, they incited us for coffee but we Haven’t been because of covid.

About six months ago, they appeared to purchase a goat. At least we assume they did as it suddenly appeared in their garden. After a shot while, they obviously got another as there were two. They seem to be kept in the back garden, no pen or anything, they just roam the garden.

This hasn’t been a big problem until now. We are being woken up often before 7am by the noose these animals make, additionally the neighbours garden is becoming a mess. We are potentially thinking about the possibility of moving and we do not want there to be any issues, I think this would put off perspective buyers.

We haven’t approached the neighbours yet, because we haven’t seen them for a while and they refused to join the street whatsapp. I want them to get rid of these goats but I’m really not sure what to do!

@Serin

I hope they aren't going to attempt to home butcher them.

Now this would be my worry to .That is why I would be wanting it checked .

I bet they've got a big, flat-screen telly as well.

I love goats - I’d pay extra to live beside them.

I love goats too. So cute and naughty.

Maybe there’s a ‘Tunnel of Goats’ too? Aka Father Ted.

they smell though

*Goats are bastards.

Greedy, too clever for their own good, easily bored and very smelly, just like free range outdoor teenagers,*

This poster knows exactly what they're talking about 👍🏻

The goats wouldn't bother me. Its shouting and loud music that sets me off. However, should you sell it probably would put off buyers.

Is there a way to check for a licence or whatever you need to keep livestock?

@RaininSummer

It does sound as if your neighbours have cast themselves into the role of the Goodes and you are the Leadbetters here. Showing my age.

Would Margot and Jerry participate in the street WhatsApp though? I'm not convinced.

"that particular house is a two bed and has had problem tenants in the past"

A fucking TWO bed? 😱 how very dare they?

@MissBaskinIfYoureNasty

Is it a council house? I think you get a free goat with a council house.

However, should you sell it probably would put off buyers.

Not half as much as the poster who linked a property on here a few weeks ago where the bugger that owned the property was buried in the garden!

Now that would put me off.

Would Margot and Jerry participate in the street WhatsApp though? I'm not convinced.

Margot would be running the group!

Are the rules the same for alpacas...

Maybe they're black magicians like in Dennis Wheatley books.

Margo? Is that you?

@Dontfuckingsaycheese

Are the rules the same for alpacas...

I definitely have not looked up rules for alpacas when we were offered the chance to buy the neighbours' extended garden. Nope. Certainly didn't.

(I would love goats/alpacas/Tamworths but I'm sticking to poultry for marital peace)

I don't know how people can have chickens but no goats as chickens can be so noisy unless there is a quiet breed.

I love goats as they are fun and very smart but always want to munch on something. You need a house with a field for them

Illegally acquired goats? Visions of the local goat dealer standing on a street corner; "psst, wanna buy a goat?"
Many years ago goats were a very popular purchase at Southall market (don't know if this still exists) for home butchering. I went with a friend to look at the horses and we bought a pregnant goat instead to save it from back street slaughter. We took it back to our yard in the back of a car, with its head sticking out of the window. Got quite a few strange looks.
Your neighbours goats, apart from any legalities, certainly need somewhere dry and clean to rest, like a bedded down shed. Very cruel to leave them in mud exposed to the elements.

I’m more intrigued about the “street whatsapp group”.

We keep alpacas too, the rules aren't the same due to them not currently being classed as livestock.

So movements don't need to be recorded, no records have to be kept.

I think this will change hopefully. It'll limit people having one random alpaca in a garden kept as a pet by someone with no idea how to look after them.

You are Margo Leadbetter and I claim my £5.

There are laws that apply to the keeping of farm animals. As other have already pointed out, there are laws relating to the procedures to be followed for keeping them but the local planning laws - that is, what you can use your property for - will also apply. E.g. if you live in a terrace house in central London for example, you can’t just decide to put a goat in your garden! But if you live in a village, then maybe you can - but obviously that’s something to be checked with the local council.

Have you thought that maybe they usually keep the goats in a field elsewhere but they are flooded out currently? Goats aren't known for keeping their wellies on.
You've not told us the important part - are they friendly? (The goats). Do they come to say hello when you are outside? I'd love to scratch a few ears over a fence.

Have the neighbours bought the house, OP, or is it still rented? Can't imagine the landlord would be too happy if the latter.

I live very rurally and goats are fine IF contained properly. A neighbour got two pygmy ones, there was a tumbledown wall on her side of the fence that they used to climb onto, which was just high enough for them to leap over onto the top of our coal bunker and into our garden. They ate EVERYTHING. Even the neighbour got fed up of them being escapologists eventually and rehomed them after a few months.

Check was is required for keeping goats first. Perhaps via the local council.