New Danvers Animal Rules Won't Resolve Goat Dispute

DANVERS, MA — The Board of Health unanimously approved new rules Thursday that would allow Danvers residents to keep domesticated barnyard animals.But the new rules will not settle a dispute between the town and a Hobart Street family that keeps goats, which will likely require town meeting approval of new zoning rules.

According to the Salem News, which first reported this story, the measure approved by the board of health allow residents to apply for a permit to keep goats, sheep, pigs, chickens and other domesticated animals. But the dispute that prompted the town to rethink its regulations will likely have to wait.

In November, the Massachusetts Land Court turned down the Timothy Raesly and Brittany Dupon-Raesly's appeal of a town decision ordering them to remove goats from their Hobart Street property because the home is located in an area of town where zoning rules prevent animal husbandry. The court denied a motion for summary judgement, ruling in favor of the town of Danvers's motion for summary judgement.