Goats clear weeds from Los Angeles lot

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- Officials with the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency said a herd of 100 goats has been eating away at the weeds in the Bunker Hill high-rise district.

The agency said the goats, which were rented for $3,000, are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than hiring a team of workers with gasoline-powered weed-whackers, which officials said could cost as much as $7,500, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Goat-keeper George Gonzales said the goats will be eating weeds on the 2 1/2-acre patch of land for the next week to 10 days and "won't collect a pension or charge for working overtime and won't call in sick."

He said any health issues with the South African Boer goats will be handled by his wife, veterinarian Liz Gonzales.