Michael Cass

mcass@tennessean.com

Zoey the neighborhood goat, the one with the bonnets and scarves and so many fans in the Woodbine community, could be taken away.

And her neighbors aren't happy about it.

A Metro Animal Control officer told Mark Bigbie on Thursday that he has 10 days to apply for a permit to keep Zoey, the goat he's owned for the past year or so, or find a new home for her. By 4 p.m. today, an online petition had gathered 183 signatures, and a post on the "16th District Nashville" Facebook page had racked up dozens of comments.

Bigbie regularly walks Zoey around the South Nashville neighborhood on a leash and often dresses her up in colorful clothing. Children and adults alike love to pet her, he said. Beth Mathews, a Woodbine resident, said postings of Zoey sightings are common on social media.

"The goat is definitely a pet," said David Morales, another neighbor. "She's part of the character of the neighborhood."

Brian Todd, spokesman for the Metro Health Department, which includes Animal Control, said Metro codes prohibit anyone living in the city's Urban Services District from having goats or certain other animals within 1,000 feet of another residence or business unless the owner has a permit.

But Todd stressed that the Animal Control officer only gave Bigbie a warning and didn't take Zoey from him.

"He has some options," Todd said.

But Bigbie, who has lived in Woodbine for about 30 years, said no one had told him he needed a permit.

"If all it is is a permit, I'll go buy one right now," he said.

"I can't let her go. She's family."

Reach Michael Cass at 615-259-8838 and on Twitter @tnmetro.