Goats and Sheep Have Been Removed from Sumner's Retention Ponds

The City of Sumner Public Works Department has briefly removed all goats and sheep in the City’s retention ponds due to illness, according to a press release.

Some animals have become ill while others have died likely due to well-meaning passersby that fed them, according to a press release.

Some of the animals seem to have been fed items that are not part of their common diet including plants that can be poisonous to them.

Sumner began using goats and sheep to clean the retention ponds for their multiple benefits. 

"Sheep clear away grass while goats remove brush.  The animals are rented from private owners and reduce City staff time and labor by 75 percent. This saves the citizens money and reduces the City’s use of gas-powered weed-eaters," according to a press release.

It also frees up Public Works crews to respond to other issues.

The City will reevaluate the program and hopes to try again after an education campaign to stop any further incidents.