By VDC staff
Town officials say two goats being used to control invasive knotweed were killed and others escaped after an off-leash dog jumped into their enclosure at the Waitsfield fairgrounds Thursday evening, August 6, according to a Facebook post by the Valley Reporter, the weekly newspaper for the Mad River Valley.
The surviving goats bolted from their enclosure following the attack, prompting local volunteers to search for the animals. A trio of hikers joined volunteers led by Carole Parker and helped herd the goats down Wu Ledges and safely back to their pen.
The goats are part of an effort to control knotweed, an invasive plant, through grazing.
The incident is expected to prompt further discussion about dogs running off leash in town. This is the second incident of death caused by an unleashed dog in Waitsfield since July 27, when a pit bull killed a miniature poodle. The Waitsfield Select Board is scheduled to discuss the issue at its meeting Monday.
The Valley Reporter said it plans to publish additional details online and on social media.