File photo from the city of Decatur

The Decatur Cemetery is getting some unusual visitors next week. You don’t need to worry about a spooky encounter, unless you’re scared of livestock.

In a post entitled “They’re baaaaaaaaa-ck!” on The Decatur Minute, the city says that sheep will be brought to the cemetery on Monday, June 29 to “help control Japanese hops, kudzu and other invasive plants on the steep slope between Section 14 and the creek at the Decatur Cemetery.”

The sheep will be there grazing for up to 10 days. The city says, “A human shepherd will check on the sheep every day, and they are protected at all times by livestock guardian dogs and solar-powered, low-voltage electrified fencing.”

The city says visitors are welcome to watch the sheep work, but it asks that dogs be kept on a leash at all times away from the sheep. The blog also warns people not to touch the electrified fence.

Here’s the full post from the city:

Our fluffy, woolen friends will return Monday, June 29 to help control Japanese hops, kudzu and other invasive plants on the steep slope between Section 14 and the creek at the Decatur Cemetery. The sheep are expected to take 7 to 10 days of grazing to clear the hill. A human shepherd will check on the sheep every day, and they are protected at all times by livestock guardian dogs and solar-powered, low-voltage electrified fencing.

While walkers, joggers and other visitors to the cemetery are welcome to observe the sheep at work, please keep your dogs on leashes at all times and a safe distance from the sheep (the guard dogs will let you know if you are too close) and remind small children and overly curious adults not to touch the electrified fence (it won’t feel good).

Trees Atlanta has used sheep to help eradicate invasive plants at Decatur Cemetery, the Atlanta Beltline, Chastain Park, Kirkwood Forest, Morningside Nature Preserve, Candler Park, Herbert Green Nature Preserve, Perkerson Park and other green spaces in metro Atlanta. The sheep are provided by Ewe-niversally Green, a local firm that specializes in environmentally sound conservation techniques.