Bournemouth Goats owner asks people to stop feeding them

The owner of the famous Bournemouth Goats has made a plea for the public to stop feeding them.

Both tourists and locals can often be seen throwing food over the fence.

This causes problems as the diets of the goats is very carefully managed by owner Mark Jackson.

Food thrown over the fence is trampled into the ground and mixed with urine and faeces left by the goats.

Mark Jackson said: “Unfortunately, we’ve had increasing problems with people throwing food over the fence for the goats.

“Not only is this against the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it my legal responsibility to provide the herd with a safe and suitable diet, but it’s also a genuine welfare risk.”

Food can also attract problematic pests which can spread infections and parasites to the goats.

Goats are also not equipped to deal with human goods like bread, which are often full of preservatives.

Mark said: “The feeding issue is definitely one of the biggest challenges we face. It might look kind or harmless to give the goats food, but in reality it can cause illness, attract rats, and undermine the carefully managed diet I provide for them.”

The goats have been a feature on Bournemouth cliffs since 2009, and are popular with both tourists and locals.

The goats graze the vegetation and help maintain it as a Site of Special Interest.

Mark pays for all their food and care, and works in partnership with BCP Council and Natural England to keep them on the cliffs.

You can follow the goats various social media profiles here: https://linktr.ee/eastcliffgoats?fbclid=IwY2xjawNw0MVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBXYVJZbW1VY0hYcDBSeVpyAR5zHx4Q1GRb7j5fXyctJ3J4QX21M8mulLUNVle6mCLoAUVNw3J7a5R6eTr2Zw_aem_P-Y3JwY0vYlyO3zsZPLkHg