Can goats actually harm someone?

[Farmer Mike S]

I know that bucks are known to charge people, I've heard stories of many people being chased by one. But even with an internet search, I couldn't find any stories of someone actually being hurt by a buck. Can they actually hurt people? Do they just charge to intimidate? What would they do if they caught up to you?

 

[teneyck farms]

our goats are not tame they dont let you pet them but they have never carged any one or hurt any one, how ever my grand mother who has passed away befor i was born had two mountain goats with the curly horns my grand ma always played with them by pushing on there horns kinda like the oposite of tug-a-war when they got bigger they pushed her over and hurt her but not meaning to just playing.
good luck finding better answers

 

[SA Farm]

Goats can absolutely do damage to a person. With charging, horns, and during rutting season an ornery temperament, some bucks in particular can be dangerous. That said, no reputable breeder would keep or breed a nasty tempered buck or doe and would immediately remove that animal from their herd and breeding program. (That actually goes for all animals in my opinion.)
Some will charge or posture just as a warning and, as with all animals, it's good to know the body language and what constitutes a warning and what is an actual threat.
I personally have only been injured by an animal because of my own lack of attention or respect to a certain animal.
Out of curiosity, why do you ask?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Any animal *can* do harm/damage - including goats. I took a lovely gash/bruise to the arm last summer, from a horn, while being a good neighbor and putting some goats back in the field and off the road - and that wasn't even really intentional on the goat's part, in so much as she was just resisting and her horn caught my arm when she tossed it backwards....factor in some intent and you can see what *could* happen. Horns and hooves and even just head-butting from a goat can cause pain or injury...especially if they take you off your feet.

 

[Farmer Mike S]

Out of curiosity, why do you ask?

I'm asking because I'm highly considering goats, and my mom along with a former friend of mine have been charged by a goat. Even though I'm not a small guy (5'11" 180lbs), I actually do have a fear of being severely injured by one. I actually also have a natural fear of dogs too because I was ran over by my neighbors dog a few times when I was little (the dog was just playing).

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

What breed(s) are you considering, and what purpose will you be using them for? Just as with dogs, chickens, etc - different breeds have different (general) temperaments and you could choose one that would be most likely to be a lesser threat.

 

[Farmer Mike S]

What breed(s) are you considering, and what purpose will you be using them for?  Just as with dogs, chickens, etc - different breeds have different (general) temperaments and you could choose one that would be most likely to be a lesser threat.

I plan to get full sized goats (not a dwarf breed) for milking purposes. Now I don't know an exact breed yet; a major factor in my breed is what's locally available. But if I do get goats they're definitely for milking purposes. I plan to have two does and a buck

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

If you get female goats and they have been dehorned, there's a lot less of a chance for injury. I highly suggest against playing "rough" with goats and teach them to be respectful of your space. Goats can injure with head butting even if they are just playing. However, for the most part, goats are pretty harmless. You just have to remember that any sort of animal larger or as large as you can potentially injure, even if it's just by accidentally stepping on your foot.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

If you get female goats and they have been dehorned, there's a lot less of a chance for injury. I highly suggest against playing "rough" with goats and teach them to be respectful of your space. Goats can injure with head butting even if they are just playing. However, for the most part, goats are pretty harmless. You just have to remember that any sort of animal larger or as large as you can potentially injure, even if it's just by accidentally stepping on your foot.

YES!!!!!! So much of the behavior issue is from either lack of training or training for the wrong behaviors - ie when they are cute little kids and it's fun to roughhouse with them but then when they get a bit bigger all the sudden you change the rules on them and what was fine a month ago is now suddenly "bad" -- so much easier (and fair to the animal, imo) to just have ground rules from day 1 that apply no matter what age/size you are. Similar to a colt or pup - -I will not tolerate or encourage ANY behavior from a young animal I am working with that I would not tolerate or encourage from them at their full-size.

 

[H Diamond]

Yes goats can hurt you, but if raised properly and given the proper respect, you should enjoy many years of enjoyable goat raising without injury.
That being said, if you want milk goats, I HIGHLY recommend you find a reputable breeder in your area. They will be able to point you in the right direction and also mentor you in starting in with your goats. As suggested, and especially if you have a bit of fear about them, get goats that have been disbudded or dehorned. In your situation, I wouldn't even consider this an option. Any breeder who raises registered dairy goats will for sure have disbudded animals. Also if you find yourself keeping a buck, dairy bucks are generally known to be much less agressive than meat type bucks, and I have found that to be very true. My dairy bucks (Saanen and Sables) have all been big babies, lol. They are always ready to get loved and get their treats.
Anyways, moral of the story, do your research on what you want, and get animals that do not have horns. And if you need help finding a breeder in your area, let me know. We can try to find one for you