French Daycare & Preschool Open Since 2005
• Our primary objective is to prepare children for entrance into Francophone or French Immersion school programs. • Accepting children from 30 months to 5 yrs. • visit us at www.moussaillons.ca
August 12th
Call: 604.488.4235 E-mail: les_moussaillons@csf.bc.ca
W E D N E S D AY , A U G U S T 5 , 2 0 1 5
Situated in École Des Navigateurs, 8580 Kilgour Place Richmond BC
You’ve goat to be kiddin’?
! Freddie the pygmy goat, front, and his buddy, George (with owner Richard Simm) are the stars on their street, making many friends, such as with the neighbours pictured. However, the goats may have to be given up by the Simm family, as farm animals, even ones as domesticated as this pair, are not allowed under the City of Richmond’s animal control bylaw. Photo by Graeme Wood/Richmond News.
50 SHOPS,
RESTAURANTS & SERVICES IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD Corner of Garden City & Blundell
NEWS: Greens go for youth in election 3
George, Freddie fall foul of City of Richmond’s animal bylaw
T
he City of Richmond has Richard Simm’s goat. It’s also looking to take away his goats. For the past two years, the Simm family has raised two pygmy goats, George and Freddie, in their home, to the delight of the neighbourhood kids, according to Simm. “Our son, Alex, 10, has made many new friends as a direct result of the numerous visitors who come by to feed and interact with George and Freddie,” said Simm. The goats have, for all intents and purposes, become part of the family. Alex and his mom, Jeannette, spend countless hours with the
goats every day and they lift be a part of it.” everyone’s spirits in the house, Enter the City of Richmond. Simm said. Simm said the city’s bylaw enGeorge and Freddie have not forcement department told him only granted Alex new friends, it received one complaint from a but the family is nearby resident. also interacting As a result, the with people who goats must go. They do not cause they otherwise According would never have to the Animal any disturbance and met in the neighControl Regulation are very quiet; much bourhood. Bylaw, “a person quieter than neigh“It has become must not keep a daily ritual for a domestic farm bourhood dogs and many families to animal on a parcel even cats. shop for and dewith an area of liver George and less than 2,000 – R S Freddie carrots, sq. metres.” celery, Cheerio’s, Domestic farm granola, oatmeal animals include and raisins,” added Simm, who the likes of horses, mules, donhas created a Facebook page keys, sheep and animals related for their cause. (See story on to George and Freddie. Richmond-News.com) Simm argues the pygmy goats “It has been heart-warming to are no different than dogs (he
“
“
Graeme Wood
Staff Reporter gwood@richmond-news.com
even takes them on walks). “They do not cause any disturbance and are very quiet; much quieter than neighbourhood dogs or even cats,” said Simm, adding that the goats are in excellent health and have been vaccinated and de-wormed. Furthermore, the family has a fenced backyard, including a special chain-link fence for neighbourhood feeding and viewing purposes. Simm argues George and Freddie fall under the definition of a “domestic pet,” defined by the city as a domesticated animal or bird “normally” kept in a residential household and for “pleasure rather than utility.” By all accounts, George and Freddie appear to serve no utility, as their interests are only in
ARTS: Bands strike up for Maritime Fest 27
SPORTS: Golden week for Special swimmer 33
See Legal action page 3
温 哥 华 最 大 酒 庄
. ! & ' * 0# & / . ) , % & 0" , % +* % ($ - + & 0
酒闻大名 不如亲自莅临
亲尝此酒 方知地藏天酒 台湾 中国 日本 配送到家
54116 -".,372.,"+ #*)! 07&83/2%$ '!(
Tel: 604-232-9839
Open daily 10am-6:30pm
www.luluislandwiner y.com