Vegan extremists attack Pennsylvania goat-snuggling farm for 'exploitation'

Vegan extremists in Pennsylvania are targeting a local farm for an allegedly exploitative service it offers: goat snuggling.

During an appearance on Fox Business's Varney & Co., Justin Steinmetz of the Fleetwood, Pennsylvania Steinmetz Family Farm said that he has been facing a litany of 'personal attacks' since sharing his story.

'Because the news coverage has gone out, and we've had a couple more like personal attacks on the farm in the last few days,' he said, armed with two baby goats.

He said that because his family farm is using the baby goats for monetary gain, animal rights activist Sheryl Petrillo has targeted the farm and is promoting her opinion that his behavior is exploitative.

Goat snuggles with a full-size goat on the Steinmetz Family Farm in Pennsylvania

The Steinmetz family charges a mere $5 for and unlimited goat snuggling session. 

Host Stuart Varney asked Steinmetz: 'Are the vegans still trying to shut you down because we put you on TV Saturday?' The Steinmetz farm had previously been featured by the network.

Steinmetz replied: 'Out of nowhere, yesterday I had the Children and Youth Services come to my house worried for my children's safety because people are here snuggling the goats, and we haven't vetted the people properly.'

'It's pretty ridiculous,' he said. 'There are attacks coming left and right.'

An activist group called Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley has been posting steadily over the last few days, admonishing the Steinmetz Family Farm for its allegedly hypocritical behavior.

The animal rights group, which is headed by founder Sheryl Petrillo, wrote on March 30: 'How much does it cost to snuggle at a county fair? Oh $5bucks a shot and on average 500 people come through.'

'(Looks like those babies are ready to get the hell out of his arms after 2 minutes. Nothing like forcing the animal to be held when it doesn't want to).'

In another post, the group wrote: 'Let's grill and eat cows chicken and pigs animals [sic] while snuggling baby goats!' began a recent post lambasting the farm.

'Unfortunately, this is common practice for most animal rescue, welfare group and organizations events - there is not one rescue group in the Lehigh Valley that saves dogs, cats and small animals that doesn't serve dead animals for food at their events,' wrote the group above a picture of an event poster for the farm's Memorial Day picnic.

Complaints from the organization previously caused the Steinmetz farm to pull out of two local vegan/vegetarian events, at which they were slated to provide goat yoga and snuggles. 

Sheryl Petrillo, the founder of Animal Defenders Greater Lehigh Valley, who has taken a hardline stance against Justin Steinmetz's family farm, which offers goat-snuggling services

The vegan activist group has been posting messages on its Facebook page, lambasting the nearby family farm

Baby goat yoga hosted by the Steinmetz Family Farm

The vegan activists have criticized the Steinmetz family farm for charging $5 per snuggle session, calling it 'exploitation' of the animals

The farm also uses its goats for birthday parties, county fairs, and local retirement homes.

According to Steinmetz, at the average county fair, the goats can expect to meet about 500 people hoping to cuddle.

'It depends on the size of the fair, but 500 people a day possible. And they'll just sit and snuggle,' he said.

'Some stay for hours and some of them, you know, they're in and out five minutes. Adults, children. We've had state senators come and snuggle our goats. We've got a lot of support behind us.'