VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 13 (UPI) -- Dwarf and pygmy goats promised good private homes after the closing of a Canadian petting zoo ended up being sold for meat, an official said.
Constance Barnes, chairwoman of the Vancouver Park Board in British Columbia said in a statement the board has ordered a full investigation after hearing reports of goats and sheep from the Stanley Park Children's Farmyard being sold at auction instead of being given homes for life as contracted with the board.
"I was very distressed to learn of the alleged mistreatment of several goats and sheep adopted out to a local farm," Barnes said. "At our request on Friday, the SPCA confirmed the well-being of remaining animals on the involved property and today I have directed staff to immediately request the surrender of any animals that were former residents of the Stanley Park Farm."
Barnes said the board intends to take "aggressive" legal action against one Fraser Valley hobby farmer who contracted to adopt 17 goats and four sheep and began getting rid of some of them within weeks of taking ownership, The Globe and Mail of Toronto reported Monday.
"There is quite a large demand for goat meat," said Chris Bodnar, co-owner of Glen Valley Organic Farm Co-operative in Abbotsford.
