An Iowa woman is battling city officials to keep her emotional support goose.
Angel Queener bought her goose, Blue, as a pet about 14 months ago, but he soon morphed into so much more, helping her with a list of mental health issues.
“He’s the light of my day. Every morning, when I wake up and see his face, it just makes my day a thousand times better. He has helped me so much,” Queener said.
The problem is that geese are prohibited in the city of Chariton, according to the municipal code.
Queener has documentation from her medical team that addresses her need for an emotional support animal. In addition to her mental health needs, she is a recovering drug addict with four years sober.
Queener says she had suicidal thoughts and thoughts to use again — until Blue entered her life.
“Once I got Blue, he saved me from that. I still remained clean,” she said.
She’s now fighting to officially register Blue as an emotional support animal and hopes this will keep them both from having to move.
“I would sell my house and move. I can’t get rid of him,” Queener said.
At Chariton City Hall, reporters were told no decision had been made in the case, and they would not be commenting. The city attorney responded to a request for comment with a copy of the ordinance dealing with keeping and raising livestock.
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