Rights, rules and liability : an approach to "preventing" feral goats

Abstract

"Mammals are known as pests when [humanity] cannot get rid of them. The fact that many mammals have been eliminated locally is usually not the result of artificial control measures, but rather the consequence of habitat alteration, inimical to the needs of that species."

(Howard, 1965:68)

The situation where goats are escaping from farms and become feral animals can be considered an environmental problem. This study focused on the approach that one way to solve this problem is to change the way farmers value goats and, through this, the attitudes that farmers have towards the environment. Although it is impossible to conclusively show whether such a goal could be achieved, the scenario presented in this study indicates that this is a distinct possibility. Enforcement of new legislation would change the rules and liability, and attenuate the rights associated with goat keeping. This in turn would produce a situation conducive to a shift in attitude and hence behaviour. Due to the nature of the issue and the nature of public policy, there are many factors involved with the success or failure of such an implementation process. However, the approach outlined in this study can be shown to have merit for "preventing" feral goats.