Given their physical health, taking the goats “would destroy us,” Alan Griffin said.
SPRINGFIELD – A state judge is pondering the fate of Stella, Carmella, Cinderella and 12 other goats belonging to an Agawam couple battling City Hall over their right to keep the animals at their home.
In the latest hearing in a 8-year legal dispute, Western District Housing Court Judge Robert G. Fields heard arguments Monday from both sides in a zoning dispute pitting the city of Agawam against the Griffin family and their goats.
Patrick M. Toney, associate city solicitor for Agawam, said the city is willing to give Alan J. and Suzanne M. Griffin 45 days to relocate the goats from their 104 North St. property.
Toney was seeking enforcement of a 2009 ruling by Fields allowing the city to remove 5 goats from Griffin’s home, the amount the family had at the time.
During a brief hearing Monday, the Griffin’s argued that city zoning laws allow goats, and that Suzanne Griffin, 57, needs raw goat milk for a stomach disorder.
Alan Griffin, 60, also told the judge he is suffering from cancer.
Given their physical health, taking the goats “would destroy us,” Alan Griffin said.
The hearing came two weeks after the Griffins filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Springfield, alleging the town is violating their civil rights and discriminating against them.
They are asking for $2 million in damages, including compensation for mental anguish and emotional problems caused by the town.
During Monday’s session, Fields repeatedly told the Griffins to stop interrupting each other as they made their case for keeping the 15 goats. At one point, Alan Griffin invited the judge to inspect their property and meet the goats, adding “You’re an intelligent man...You’re no fool.”
Fields did not respond to the invitation.
The judge noted that the arguments advanced by both parties were essentially the same as those presented in the 2009 hearing.
Enforcement of Field’s 2009 ruling was put on hold pending resolution of a suit filed by the couple against the city in state Land Court.
Toney told the judge that the land court case has stalled, and that Agawam officials want all the goats removed.
In 2012, the city offered to let the Griffins to keep 7 goats in exchange for allowing inspections every six months, installation of fencing and other conditions.
Toney said the family rejected the offer, and the city “has moved on” from the compromise proposal.
The 45-day waiting period would give the family time to get health inspections for the goats and find new places for them in the area, Toney said.
Fields offered no indication as to the timing of his ruling.