Co-Owner, Herder of Orinda-Based Goat Leasing Firm, Charged With Animal Neglect

The co-owner of an Orinda-based company that leases herds of pygmy goats to homeowners and businesses seeking a green solution to their brush-clearing needs has been ordered to stand trial on charges of animal neglect.

Egon Oyarzun, 48, and 40-year-old Wilfredo Felix were ordered to stand trial for allegedly contributing to the deaths of ten goats found recently at a location near the old Oak Knoll Naval Hospital site in Oakland.

Judge Paul Fogel ordered the trial after animal control officers who found the animals in October reported that the flock was malnourished and did not appear to have been cared for properly. Oyarzun is co-owner of Orinda-based Goats R Us. Felix is a herder with the company.

The company's web site, which gives an Orinda post office box as its address, contains pictures of the owners and herders tending to their "buddies," which were specially bred and leased to property owners who wanted fire breaks cleared around their homes and buildings.

The goats were a familiar sight along many Bay Area roads and highways.

Prosecutors told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that there was sufficient evidence given at a preliminary hearing for the two men to have them stand trial. They are scheduled to be arraigned next week.

A call to Goats R Us Tuesday morning was not immediately returned.