City considers goat exception

EAST RIDGE, Tenn., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Officials in a Tennessee city said they are considering an exception for a family's pet goat, which is an animal banned within the city limits.

Jeff Viar spoke to the East Ridge City Council last week and asked members to allow his family to keep Oreo, a 1-year-old, 40-pound pygmy goat, the Chattanooga (Tenn.) Times Free Press reported Wednesday.

"He's a good pet and a smart little goat. He's like my third child. You've got to love him," said Viar's wife, Samantha.

Officials said they are considering an exception for Oreo.

"I have young children; I can imagine how devastated they would be over losing a pet," East Ridge Mayor Brent Lambert said. "If we can create a narrow exception in the law for Oreo and similar animals, certainly I'd be willing to look at that."