Look Who it Was Random video

East Ridge Family Begs City To Save Family Pet

261 views · Published 27 August 2012 · 2:42 · Indexed 18 October 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

by Alyssa Spirato  One East Ridge Family is begging the city to save their family pet. But this isn't your ordinary pet. It's a pet pygmy goat named Oreo. But East Ridge leaders say, goats aren't allowed in the city.To you, Oreo may look like your ordinary goat. But to the Viar family, he's more than just a goat."It's not really a farm animal to them. It's actually their pet," says owner, Samantha Viar.But there's one problem. In East Ridge, animals like Oreo are not allowed. Now, Oreo may need to find a new home."When we got the citation, we tried to explain to them that we might have to give Oreo up. They actually started crying because they didn't want to get rid of him," says Viar.East Ridge City Manager Tim Gobble tells NewsChannel9 while they are sympathetic, they are concerned it could create larger issues."That can present public health issues in some cases, it can also devalue people's property in some cases, and create problems," says Gobble.But Gobble also says, he's planning to pull out all the stops to make sure Oreo stays put."We really want to help where we can.  I put up my sign back here to remind us to save Oreo if we can," says Gobble.Gobble says no action will be taken with Oreo for at least three weeks. After that, he plans to bring up a recommendation to City Council that could keep Oreo right where he is."There may be a way to put in a narrow exception for domesticated by better defining domesticated animals as pets in the zoning ordinance," says Gobble.A message that's welcome news to Viar."I hate to see my kids hurt. But that's why we're trying to fight to keep him because I mean, he's not a harmful animal," says Viar.Gobble also says it's ultimately up to the council to decide if Oreo will stay, or go. He says he plans to recommend a 120 day suspension of the zoning ordinance, which would bring time to find a solution.

More from this channel