Detroit Seizes Three Goats After Viral Escape Incident and Neighbor Complaints

Detroit Animal Care and Control removed three goats from a west-side property last week following neighbor complaints.

The seizure happened months after one goat, Smokey, became famous online. Video from November 2025 showed him racing through the neighborhood. Residents were startled.

Officers arrived with a warrant to take Smokey, Perfect and Angel from Robert "Dr. Bob" Pizzimenti. He keeps the animals at his property near the Psychedelic Healing Shack. "There were no ifs, ands or buts, they were coming to get them," Pizzimenti told FOX 2 Detroit.

The owner said officials wouldn't tell him where the animals were going. An Animal Control spokesperson said the department was in contact with several rescue farms in the area about placement for the goats.

Pizzimenti has argued that the animals are gentle. He thinks they can help the community. He keeps a small herd at his property and believes they offer companionship and a healing presence.

The November escape got attention when doorbell and cellphone video showed Smokey leaping his fence and trotting down the block. At one point, a neighbor scrambled onto the roof of his car to avoid the animal.

City officials say the goats aren't allowed under Detroit ordinances. Pizzimenti has gotten 32 tickets trying to keep them.

"If the city would allow us what we want to do, which is many of us want to farm and garden, we could have the greatest city on the planet," said Pizzimenti.