UPDATE: In a shocking decision, Franconia Township’s zoning board has ruled to evict two beloved pet goats, Tommy and Bam-Bam, sparking outrage among local residents. The goats, aged 15 and 10, have been cherished residents of the township for over a decade, and their owner, Ken Schumann, is fighting back against the ruling.
The decision, announced on December 4, 2023, comes after officials claimed Schumann’s property, a one-third-acre lot, violates zoning codes prohibiting livestock on properties smaller than three acres. Schumann, who has maintained goats since 2000, argues that township officials have visited his property numerous times without issuing any prior complaints.
“It’s not like I’m asking to change the zoning and let me have more goats,” Schumann stated. “I’m simply asking for a variance to let them live their life out here.” The township’s letter regarding the eviction followed complaints from neighbors, though Schumann insists he never received any warnings until this past spring.
With mounting pressure, over 1,600 signatures have been collected on an online petition advocating for Tommy and Bam-Bam to be allowed to live out their days on Schumann’s property. Erin, a neighbor who signed the petition, wrote, “They are harmless. I bear witness to these goats making the day of the school children next door.”
Schumann, who has paid $1,800 to appeal the zoning board’s decision, is now considering legal action or rehoming the goats. “I just think they would die of a broken heart,” he lamented, highlighting the deep bond between his family and the goats.
As Franconia Township remains silent on the matter, the community is rallying around Schumann, emphasizing the goats’ role as part of the local fabric. Schumann has previously shared that he adopted Tommy, a retired therapy goat, in 2015, and that both Tommy and Bam-Bam have provided joy to many local children.
In response to this growing trend of goat ownership across Pennsylvania, experts suggest that goats are becoming increasingly popular pets due to their lower barriers to entry compared to larger livestock. As more residents look to keep goats, issues surrounding zoning and livestock management are likely to come to the forefront.
The next steps for Schumann remain uncertain as he navigates this complex legal landscape. With community support swelling and the issue gaining traction, the fate of Tommy and Bam-Bam hangs in the balance. Residents are urged to stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
