Goats mow down weeds in Liberty Lake

Taylor Graham by Taylor Graham

Goats seen grazing in Liberty Lake have left some community members concerned about the level of care the goats receive.

The goats make their mark on Liberty Lake each year, as they mow down the city’s noxious weeds. But they’ve also raised a series of questions for some in the community.

“Who feeds these goats, who takes care of the goats?” asked Stephanie Lancaster.

Jen Camp, the city’s operations and maintenance director, and the goats’ owner, says that despite what some think, these goats have got it made.

“They’re very well cared for, very well fed,” said Camp. “As you can see on some of them they’ve got some big bellies on them.”

The goats are fed flakes of hay, mineral salts, and fresh water each day, on top of the noxious weeds they get to eat.

Camp says the goats are a huge asset to Liberty Lake. They allow the city to avoid the use of pesticides, because the seeds neutralize in their bellies, meaning when they pass through, it does not regrow as a seed.

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