Wild goats facing a gruff future

Attempts to keep the herd in the valley have failed

A herd of wild goats in Devon is facing a cull because of damage caused to nearby areas.

Thousands of tourists visit the Valley of the Rocks outside the town of Lynmouth to see the goats.

But Lynton and Lynmouth Town Council has decided to move or cull 75% of the animals, despite some local opposition.

Some of the 120-strong herd have been seen straying away from the beauty spot and into the town, where they have been snacking on plants and flowers.

'Genuine distress'

It is claimed gardens, allotments and a local cemetery have all attracted the voracious goats.

The main culprits appear to be billy goats and the council wants to remove up to 90 of the animals, if possible by relocating them.

Town clerk Geoff Dwyer said the council planned to reduce the number of goats to approximately 30.

The valley was probably created during the Ice Age

He said the council was in discussion with English Nature and other agencies about the best way to resolve the problem.

Mr Dwyer said: "Apart from the damage caused to gardens, several graves have been damaged by the goats and it causing genuine distress to some people."

He said the problem is not a new one and 79 goats in the Valley of the Rocks were recorded in the Domesday Book.

In previous years a voluntary organisation, the Friends of the Lynton Goats, has relocated part of the herd.

It has also carried out improvements to fencing in an attempt to keep the animals in the valley, which is believed to have been created during the Ice Age and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Despite this, the goat population has increased.

The possible cull has upset some people, who say the goats are part of the character of the valley.

One former Lynton resident, Jan Hunt, has accused the council of letting everyone down and sentencing the animals to death.