Burnaby tells woman she can’t keep goats in her backyard

WATCH: A Burnaby woman is preparing for a major fight with the city in order to keep her pygmy goats. The city has issued an order, saying the animals have to go by next month. Jeremy Hunka reports.

For the last year, Alexandra Lezo has taken care of two pygmy goats in her Burnaby backyard. With a barn, resting area, endless water supply and plenty of food, they’re well taken care of.

But the city of Burnaby says the goats have to go, as they contravene a bylaw that only allow goats on properties zoned for agricultural use.

“I can imagine the coyotes are very interested in her goats,” says Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan. “If they do draw coyotes into the neighbourhood, it may not be those goats at risk, but somebody else’s cats. As a result, people can be concerned.”

Lezo says that they’ve been told to get rid of the goats by March 3, but finding a new owner will prove challening.

“These goats are pets. They’re not agricultural animals…they’re not typical of farm animals at all,” she said.

“We have to find someone who is legally zoned to keep pygmy zones, but also have the enough resources to take care of them. We don’t know what’s going to happen right now, but we’re hoping for the best result possible.”

Lezo says she had a phone call with a city official and wasn’t told her situation was illegal. Neighbours have sent letters to the city and she’s hoping to present her case for an exemption to council on February 23.

Corrigan said he’s sympathetic to their situation, but it illustrates the need for people to fully explain situations to bylaw officers if they’re unsure of the law. And he says he’s always open to people making their case before council.

“It’s responsive, it’s local, you have a chance to have us…listen to your argument.”

Lezo is hoping for a happy outcome.

“Our goats are a very important part of our family,” she says.

“We hope they can stay.”