Redding owner of goats disputes warrant claims after animals seized

The seizure of 65 goats from a Redding property announced by the state Department of Agriculture followed more than 120 complaints filed to the town’s police department since 2007 and a stakeout over the course of three days, allowing animal control officers and police to observe the condition of the animals, according to a search and seizure warrant. The goats’ owner, however, told Hearst Connecticut Media she believes the state “lacked legal cause” and interfered with her plans to transfer all but nine goats to a sanctuary.

The search and seizure warrant, executed by the Department of Agriculture Wednesday, details both the conditions of some goats and the state they were living in. Between 10 and 12 had “extremely long hooves” affecting their mobility, manure control was a “major concern,” and water was not being constantly provided or available, the warrant stated.

“The surveillance revealed many animal health and property management concerns,” the warrant reads.

There were also concerns, according to the warrant, about their shelter, especially during temperatures below freezing, with not all of the goats having space in the shelter, a barn “falling down” and lacking sides to the north and south.

Nancy Burton, who owns the goats, said in emailed responses to questions from a Hearst Connecticut Media reporter said the state’s charges “are without basis.” She stated the hooves are trimmed “regularly,” the goats have “enjoyed ample water supply” and that the shelters have been “regularly upgraded and maintained by qualified workmen.”

Complaints through the years were often connected to the goats roaming, according to citations and written warnings filed by police against Burton, who resides on the property. Records, obtained through a Freedom of Information request filed by The News-Times, show 19 complaint tickets were issued to Burton, along with two warnings since 2014.

The warrant shows the state Department of Agriculture had also documented a minimum of five complaints as of 2017 “all making reference to the conditions and the large amount of goats on the property.” A complaint on Oct. 7, 2020 over “injured goats/general care issues” on the Cross Highway property. A state animal control officer and Redding police detective then observed the property Oct. 15, the warrant states. During that time, the two officers observed at least 50 goats, including one goat that “spent most (of ) this time walking on its front knees.”

“When the goat did stand [the officer] saw that the goat appeared not able to stand on both front feet,” the warrant continues.

Officers contacted Burton Oct. 20 and she “denied that one of her goats was walking on its knees” but said an older goat named Leda had been limping for some time, the warrant states. Burton also told the officers, according to the warrant, she changed Leda’s diet, incorporated a pill into it but did not consult a veterinarian because “nature knows more than vets.” On. Nov. 9, the state animal control officer confirmed with a veterinary hospital that Burton brought two goats to be examined.

An animal control officer was denied access to the property Dec. 10, while seeking to “inventory the goats in advance of helping her thin her herd.” The warrant states Burton had “made reference to wanting to get the herd down to nine goats,” which is allowable under the town’s zoning regulations.

Burton said in an email that she has “worked continuously for more than three years to find good homes for many or most of these goats,” adding that she has kept the goats as part of a scientific study, testing goat milk for radiation. There were plans to send all but nine goats to animal sanctuaries “within the next two weeks or sooner” she added.

“My hope is this will happen and I will retain the nine goats I am indisputably allowed under Redding zoning,” Burton wrote.

Burton sent approximately 30 goats to the Stoney Brook Farm Animal Rescue in Harwinton, according to its president, Rosa Buonomo. Buonomo said she and Burton had also arranged for the sanctuary to take in about 12 more goats in the last two weeks but had to postpone the transfer because of “icy conditions.”

“I don’t know what happened between point A and point B,” Buonomo said. She expected to receive Burton’s goats soon but then learned they had been seized by the state.

Burton said there are three sanctuaries in New Jersey and one “local” that she was awaiting permission to publicly identify.

Burton has filed court documents regarding the goats, including a 2019 complaint against the town and First Selectwoman Julia Pemberton that seeks to keep 30 or more goats on her property. The case was supposed to have a status conference Wednesday, but did not go forward due to the unavailability of Burton.

As the investigation into Burton’s goats continued, a neighbor gave a state animal control officer access to an apartment where he could observe Burton’s property. The officer said he watched

Burton take “quite some time” to walk hay legumes over to a paddock, housing the animals where he was unable to see any water containers, the warrant stated. The officer also said the goats became “aggressive” eating the hay after it was dropped off.

Those observations led to an “around the clock” surveillance operation involving the Department of Agriculture with Redding police. The officers set up in the neighbor’s apartment again and watched Burton’s property from March 1 to March 4.

It was during that timeframe that the officers documented some of the goats’ mobility issues and concerns with shelters and manure pile, according to the warrant.

“In one paddock, the manure has piled up so high that roofline of the shelter is only sticking two and a half to three feet high,” the warrant said.

The officers also monitored the water provided to the goats, determining it was not sufficient after discussing with Acting State Veterinarian and Director of Regulatory Services for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Bruce Sherman, the warrant continues.

Burton counters that the goats were the “happiest goats on earth” and that they “frolicked peacefully and joyously.”

The goats have since been transported to a state rescue and rehabilitation facility in Niantic until the case is settled in court, according to a Department of Agriculture statement. They will be “evaluated and treated by a licensed veterinarian and will remain in [the department’s] custody and care until the case is adjudicated in the court system.”

“Removal of the animals is a last resort after attempting to work with the owner to voluntarily improve the standard of care,” the statement read.