Full Breakdown
Two Pygmy Goats Briefly Board a Portland TriMet Bus
8/14/2026, 11:51:17 PM
The Unlikely Bus Ride
Surveillance footage captured two 7-month-old pygmy goats hopping onto an FX2-Division bus at the Southeast 162nd Avenue and Division Street stop during the morning commute. The incident occurred on a Tuesday morning; the goats entered the bus at about 7:40 a.m. and were ushered off by passengers after roughly 20 seconds. TriMet received a 9-1-1 call reporting the wandering animals, and the agency’s cameras recorded the brief “goated” stunt, which later amassed more than 3 million online views.
Background & Context
Rae Anderson, the goats’ owner, explained that Billy the Kid and Billy the Goat escaped from his backyard when a gate was left open. Anderson said the pair have visited neighbors’ yards before, but this was their first foray onto public transit. He noted that the goats are attracted to anything green and will exploit any unsecured opening. Following the episode, Anderson added an extra lock and chain to the gate to prevent future escapes.
Official Statements & Responses
TriMet confirmed that police checked the area but had not located the goats and that no further 9-1-1 calls were logged that day.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Portland Police checked the area, but we don’t know if the goats were ever located. There were also no additional calls about loose goats later that day,” — TriMet
- “They probably had enough to eat and said, ‘Let’s keep on going,’” — Rae Anderson
- “Even though their attempted trip on TriMet was foiled, ending before it started, we’re honored that they chose the FX2-Division - Frequent Express. They proved that it’s the G.O.A.T. of our bus service.” — Rae Anderson
- “They’re smart, so they’ll see the gate and, if there’s an opportunity and someone didn’t shut it right, they’re going through,” — Rae Anderson
Why It Matters
The episode highlights the challenges transit agencies face when unexpected animals enter the system, prompting quick safety responses. It also underscores the role of social media in amplifying quirky local incidents, turning a brief bus stop disruption into a viral moment that drew national attention to Portland’s public-transport operations.
