By Leah Johnston

According to Forbes.com, 66% of American households have one or more domesticated animals. Not all of these 86.9 million pet-owning homes own the typical dog, cat, or fish, however. A smaller percentage of households have chosen to purchase more exotic animals as their day-to-day companions. Despite the generally positive American disposition on pets, a local pygmy goat recently managed to spark debate over which animals do—and do not—belong outside of a farm. 

Sesame, the pygmy goat pet whose prospective move to Sleepy Hollow has caused controversy. Photo credit: @sesame.the.pygmy.goat via Facebook.

Sleepy Hollow is a quiet neighborhood adjacent to Collegiate. Over the past few weeks, however, a disagreement between neighbors had captivated city-wide attention—all over a pygmy goat named Sesame. Sesame is a 13-year-old pygmy goat who currently lives in Carytown. About a year ago, his family moved to Sleepy Hollow, but due to Henrico County zoning laws, they were not able to bring their beloved pet along. Last month, the family appealed to the Henrico Zoning Commission; pygmy goats usually only live to about age 15, and Sesame’s family wanted him to spend his final years closer to them.

What seemed like a simple request became more controversial when nearby homeowners voiced their opinions as to whether they wanted a goat for a neighbor, as reported by local affiliate NBC12. Yard signs, not unlike those which are seen during an election, started popping up in front lawns. Those who were against Sesame’s move to Sleepy Hollow had signs reading “NO GOAT,” while others started contrasting this message with “PRO GOAT” and even “SESAME FOR MAYOR” signs. One resident even placed flyers in mailboxes to warn against supporting Sesame. The flyers argued that having a goat in the neighborhood would lower property values. 

According to CBS6 News, other concerns were that the pygmy goat will attract rodents, smell, make lots of noise, and cause other safety concerns. CBS6 also spoke with Truly, a 12-year-old who is one of Sesame’s owners. She assured that Sesame is ”naturally very quiet” and hopes that neighbors will have the opportunity to experience “the peace and the love that he can bring.”

Doorbell camera footage from a house on Tarrytown Drive. A bear walks through the front yard early on April 27. Photo credit: Baxter Phillips (‘26).

Despite the lack of wilderness in this Henrico neighborhood, Sleepy Hollow is accustomed to the occasional animal sighting. Since my family moved into the neighborhood in 2019, I have witnessed deer, foxes, frogs, bunnies, and even bears (yes, plural) within blocks of my home. I have yet to encounter a pygmy goat in the area, but I cannot say I would be particularly surprised to see an animal of that nature, even though they are not native to Virginia.

Pygmy goats, also known as Cameroon Dwarf Goats, are an herbivorous species originally from West Africa. The species is now found worldwide and maintains its status as a domesticated animal. They are widely found in petting zoos and as companion animals. Additionally, they double as effective natural lawnmowers. A distinct feature of male pygmy goats are their beards. The Department of Animal and Food Sciences at Oklahoma State University describes the beards as “full, long and flowing, the copious mane draping cape-like across the shoulders.”

In a statement to The Match, Upper School Head and Sleepy Hollow resident Patrick Loach described his relative neutrality on the subject of Sesame. He explained that although he did not follow the story very closely, his opinion is that “If the neighbors who live on either side and behind the goat-owning family were supportive, then to each his own.” Loach also shared, “the one argument I found specious is that it would negatively impact property values.”

Maddie’s chickens are free to roam in her backyard. Photo credit: Maddie Hough.

Upper School student and animal enthusiast Maddie Hough (‘25), who moved to Sleepy Hollow in 2019, is pro-goat. Hough told The Match, “I was 100% rooting for them… I just don’t see a problem since they aren’t hurting anyone.” Hough’s family has several pets: she has three dogs, one cat, and five chickens. When asked about how she feels about having chickens in her backyard, she said, “I love seeing the chickens graze around the yard, and how they give us fresh eggs.” 

Dance program coordinator Stacy Dudley also lives in the neighborhood and advocated on behalf of Sesame. In correspondence with The Match, Dudley shared that “Our street in Sleepy Hollow has a group text, consisting of five families. One of our friends heard about the story and texted the group about Sesame.” Dudley’s family has two dogs, one golden retriever and one goldendoodle. When she and her husband were walking their dogs, they began to notice the yard signs about Sesame. Dudley and her family wrote letters to the Henrico Zoning Commission to express their support for Sesame’s move to the neighborhood. 

In all, 290 people wrote to the Board of Zoning Appeals. Ultimately, the Board sided with the majority and approved Sesame to move into Sleepy Hollow. The Board came up with some recommended preparations before Sesame’s arrival, but once those are completed, Sesame will move to his new home on El Dorado Drive. Upon learning the result of the hearing, Dudley said her family is “so excited and cannot wait to meet her! Sesame for Mayor!”

Featured image courtesy of Homes.com.