SEATTLE – They have hoofs instead of paws and aren’t known for fetching sticks or chasing mice, but pygmy goats are now legally pets in Seattle.

The City Council voted unanimously to reclassify the goats – also known dwarf or miniature goats – as small animals rather than farm animals after testimony touting the virtues of the dog-sized critters as companions, weed eaters and milk producers.

“One small step for man, one giant step for goatkind,” council member Richard Conlin, who sponsored the measure, said after Monday’s vote.

The little goats – up to 2 feet tall and weighing 50 to 100 pounds – must have pet licenses, just like cats, dogs and potbelly pigs. However, these pets must be dehorned and males must be neutered to reduce musky odors.

Computer nerds at WSU to sell services to sororities

PULLMAN, Wash. – Looking to recruit more women, and perhaps date some sorority women, the largest computer club at Washington State University hopes to hold a “nerd auction.”

The idea is to trade their computer skills to sorority girls in exchange for a makeover and, possibly, a date.

“You can buy a nerd and he’ll fix your computer, help you with stats homework, or if you’re really adventurous, take you to dinner!” Ben Ford, president of the Linux Users Group, said on its Web site.

Ford acknowledged that some of the group’s 213 registered members may not be ready for the auction block.

“The problem is that we’re all still nerds. Let’s face it, guys. If anyone’s going to bid on us, we’ll need some spicing up,” Ford wrote.

“And who better to help with that than sorority girls who like nothing better than a makeover?” he added.

From Associated Press reports