A Winnipeg Beach woman who has a pair of goats as her emotional support animals says the town is trying to take them away.
The goats in question are Smarty and Kit Kat.
“We got them because I had suffered a seizure at that point, and they became my emotional support animals,” said the goats’ owner Anjali Schludermann.
She said she got Smarty about three years ago, and just recently brought Kit Kat into the fold. She said there have never been any issues until now.
Following a recent complaint from a neighbour, the town has told her the goats have to go.
“The goats haven’t harmed anybody,” Schludermann said. “I don’t understand why. I have a 56-acre parcel. There’s plenty of room here. They are taken care of. They are loved.”
Schludermann said she received an email from the Town of Winnipeg Beach and the Eastern Interlake Planning District.
According to the email shared with CTV News, the town and district got a legal opinion on the matter, and determined there is a critical distinction between a service animal and a pet that merely provides comfort.
“There is no evidence that suggests the goats meet the training requirement and/or have been trained specifically to assist with a diagnosed disability, which would qualify the goats as service animals,” it reads.
Schludermann concedes her goats aren’t trained as service animals, but they do act as emotional support animals.
She pointed to a note from her doctor, which reads in part, “The goats provide and serve as an emotional support animal for Anjali. To clarify, an emotional support animal by definition supports individuals with mental health conditions.”
Schludermann said, despite the note, the town still views Smarty and Kit Kat as livestock, which aren’t allowed on residential property. The town has now ordered her to remove the goats, or the municipality says it will take the necessary action at her expense.
“I think that’s ridiculous,” said Lisa Slater, who lives nearby and regularly visits Smarty and Kit Kat.
She said several others in the community also enjoy the goats’ company.
“They’re not disturbing the public at all. There’s no way,” Slater said. “They’re the most gentle, like they’re more gentle than a dog. They don’t bite. They are very gentle with your hands. You can feed them anything.”
Schluderman is now appealing the decision.
The Town of Winnipeg Beach declined to comment, saying the matter is under investigation.
