It’s rare that a goat can be both a savior and a source of fascination, but at Dunwoody this spring, both goals were achieved.
Passersby were fascinated by the city’s newest “hired employees” – a herd of goats tasked with clearing vegetation in 15 designated city-maintained areas.
Goats are an economical, safe and more environmentally friendly alternative to manually cleaning retention and detention ponds, according to Dale Harris, operations and maintenance supervisor for the Dunwoody Department of Public Works.
“There could be a lot of rocks and snakes hiding in these areas, which would make it dangerous to get rid of them,” Harris said. “It is also much easier for a goat to access these areas than for a team. The terrain situation is irrelevant because they can go anywhere.”
Harris said this is the third season of employment for the Capra aegagrus hircushired by Get Your Goats Rentals, an invasive vegetation control company based in Atlanta.
Depending on the area, goats can clear a congested retention or detention pond in a matter of days. The goats’ last day of work, Harris said, will be in a few weeks, but they will return for limited work in the fall.
Harris said he provides a list of designated areas to the company, and workers install an indoor electric fence (to keep the goats in and predators out), house the goats and check on them daily to ensure they are safe and hydrated.
Harris said he had a lot of fun watching the goats in action, along with other Dunwoody residents.
“They really work together in teams,” he said. “One goat will cut down a tree and the other goats will eat the vegetation. Then they take turns bending over the next tree.”
The goat program costs between $12,000 and $15,000 depending on the season. Funds are allocated from the city’s stormwater budget.
For those not interested in a vegetation clearing project, select members of the herd can be hired for entertainment purposes.
According to the Get Your Goats website, people can request a “Goat Gram” and the company will deliver the animal to a designated destination for hugs, visits and photo opportunities.
According to the company, “goat grams” have become popular on national holidays, birthdays, proms or whenever someone wants to recognize a person as the “Greatest of All Time.”
“They took the goat game to a whole new level,” Harris said.
