The City of Moose Jaw is looking at using some animals to try and get control of leafy spurge. The noxious weed is usually treated with herbicides but the province has pulled the plug on a rebate program, causing the price of treatment to basically double.

"Goats and sheep can eat a lot of weeds that other animals can't and so they are very useful for noxious weed control," explained City Parks Gardener Sara Regent.

Leafy spurge excretes toxins that will kill native grasses and then take over an area. Cows and horses can't eat the plant but goats and sheep can. There's a chance the natural lawn mowers might be used in some pasture land that the city owns on the west side of Moose Jaw while there has also been some interest expressed to use them in parts of Wakamow and the old Wild Animal Park.

Regent says more work needs to be done before the city looks to partner with a local animal owner. The idea might be something new for Moose Jaw but has been used in a number of communities across North America in recent years.