Middleton Grange: Residents campaign to save Billy the goat

Residents of a suburban estate in western Sydney are calling on their council to leave their friendly neighbourhood goat alone after complaints about his ‘bad behaviour’.

Billy the goat, who has lived in Middleton Grange for at least eight years. Picture: Supplied

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Residents of a southwest Sydney suburb want their resident goat Billy to be left alone after complaints about his aggressive behaviour.

The campaign by a group of Middleton Grange residents was backed by the Animal Justice Party’s Mark Pearson, who today called on Liverpool Council to confirm they will not kill Billy the goat, as he is affectionately known in the neighbourhood.

Middleton Grange residents say the suburb's resident goat Billy is harmless.

Mark Pearson, MLC for the Animal Justice Party, has backed the campaign.

The council’s acting chief executive Eddie Jackson said at no stage had council considered killing the goat, which has lived in bushland near homes for many years.

He said the council had received recent complaints from four residents about a wild goat that was acting aggressively and attempting to attack people near bushland at Middleton Grange.

“It is understood the goat has returned to bushland. Should he re-emerge council has engaged a contractor to capture the goat and provide temporary shelter until a permanent home can be found,” he said.

Middleton Grange resident Michelle Willmer said Billy was a “beautiful sight to see when you’re out walking” and had never caused a problem for anyone.

The wild goat is affectionately known as Billy.

She claimed the complaints were made to council after a resident dangled keys in front of the goat to “get a rise out of it”, causing Billy to follow them up a path.

“He hasn’t harmed anybody or any property and if he has to be relocated to save his life we will understand, but ideally we want him to be left alone, to live here in his home where has lived for at least eight years and is happy,” she said.

Ms Willmer said the shy animal was unique to the estate.

“I mean, how many other estates can say they have a residential goat? Nobody. Everybody feels that he’s really unique to our estate and we’re proud of him.”

Liverpool Council has urged members of the community to avoid the goat and report any sightings to 1300 36 2170.