By Tyler Wright
A stray goat often found wandering Belgrave’s Bayview Road has been rescued by the Yarra Ranges Council and taken to a veterinarian’s property in Mount Evelyn.
This comes after concerns were raised over the goat’s welfare by Selby resident Amanda O’Callaghan who reported the animal to authorities.
“About three or four months ago, I contacted the council about the goat – and they told me they were trying to catch it and had trouble,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“My number one concern was for the people…this goat was in an area right on the corner of Bayview Road; it’s a 40 zone, sure, but there’s parking on one side and it’s very narrow and there’s a lot of school kids going in and out because there’s a secondary college.”
“The second thing I was worried about was its safety – the goat deserves to have a home and to have shelter and feed – it’s the barest of necessary things for an animal.”
Ms O’Challaghan said when she parked to attend the Belgrave Lantern Parade on Saturday 25 June, there were people approaching the goat which led to the animal “hysterically taking off”.
“My daughter had a baby strapped to her stomach and it just missed her…it could leap heaps in the air and land in the middle of the road, so you couldn’t see it coming,” she said.
Acting Director of Communities at Yarra Ranges Council Ben Waterhouse told the Star Mail the council received reports from the community of a wandering goat in Belgrave in late 2021.
“[It] was posing a safety risk not only to itself but to the community, given its close proximity to busy roads,” Mr Waterhouse said.
“Council officers made multiple attempts to capture the goat, but due to its flighty nature and potential risks to safety, were unsuccessful.
On 30 June 2022, Council officers with the assistance of an animal rescue organisation attended a property in Belgrave and successfully and safely captured the goat.”
Yarra Ranges Coucil staff made an enquiry to Animal Welfare Victoria to find an owner of who it had previously belonged to, but were unable to find this information.
“We’re very pleased to report that the goat is in good health and is currently residing on a veterinarian’s property in Mt Evelyn,” Mr Waterhouse said.
After Ms O’Callaghan took to Facebook to update residents on the welfare of the goat after its rescue, locals reflected on their time spotting the animal.
“I hope he is happy at the new home,” one commenter wrote.
“Bye belly Billie,” another said.
