The city council officially walked back Ordinance 952 today and Wilbur and Fern are safe at home. I honestly never imagined this would happen but you all kept pushing until they finally listened. This outcome belongs entirely to you.
October 6, 2016
Final supporters
What is Ordinance 952? This ordinance is part of the Animal Control ordinances that regulate the keeping of animals within the city limits of Jonesboro. This law was originally passed in 1952 (amended 1982 by the City Council). Section 7: Housing states No person shall cause or allow any stable or place where any animal is or may be kept to become unclean or unwholesome and it shall be unlawful to keep any live swine or pigs within the corporate limits of the City of Jonesboro. Chapter 10-7. Keeping of Swine states it shall be unlawful to keep any live swine within the corporate limits of the city (this refers to the original ordinance 952). The spirit of this ordinance is for feeder and breeder pigs, not potbelly pigs that are domesticated.
History of the Potbelly. The first imports to the US occurred in 1986. US zoos were the main target for the piglets, but private owners soon began purchasing them as pets. Potbellies are very smart, they are ranked just behind primates and dolphins and are said to have the intelligence of a 3-4 year old child. They make great pets but do require owners to be diligent with the rules and "baby proof" their living area as it is like having a 3 year old child at times. They are very social animals and get along with other animals, especially if they have grown up with them. They can be trained to perform many “tricks” or tasks. They are even being used to find truffles, as drug sniffing animals, and as assistance animals in some cases. Potbellies are naturally clean animals if they are allowed to be so. They only roll in mud to keep cool as they only sweat through their nose. If your potbelly is kept inside or is given a kid’s play pool with clean water they will be just as happy. They want to keep their sleeping and living areas clean, so they will usually find an out of the way area to use the bathroom.
As many of you know I have Wilbur & Fern. I was cited this week by Animal Control for having them and given a warning and told I had to get rid of them within 30 days. These are not just pets but are part of my family. We are devastated at the mere thought of having to rehome them. Due to the intelligence of the Potbelly, the grieve & often when separated from their owners don't survive because they grieve themselves to death.
Signing Petition to amend Ordinance 952, which was originally adopted in 1952 in the spirit of the breeder pig. Amendment to allow domesticated potbellies as pets within city limits of Jonesboro.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 1, 2016
July 31, 2016
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people care about Wilbur and Fern. We are nearing a thousand signatures and I know this momentum belongs entirely to the kindness of those who signed. If we could just invite a few more neighbors to the table today we might finally be heard.
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2016
705 Comments
Let us also remember that pigs very emotionally intelligent animals who are know to be smarter even than most dog breeds. They are clean and loving. This ordinance is outdated and has not accounted for the rise in pet pigs. An amendment is the logical solution.
We have had neighbors before with a pot belly pig for a pet and she was a great pet. They choose the pig because she had hair instead of fur and they couldn't have other animals because of allergies. We never had a problem with her.
My neighbor in town was allowed to have a rooster in their backyard, which woke me up every morning for 3 years, so I guess a potbellied pig as an indoor pet, which will not bother anyone or be s food source. should be allowed as well.
My family agrees with you 100%. When you bring any type of domesticated animal into your family, it becomes just that, FAMILY ! Not only are we going to sign this petition, but will also be praying for you that this gets changed in your favor.
Domesticated potbelly pigs are pets no different than many other types. There should be a change in the ordinance to differentiate between them and livestock/breeder pigs. Alternatively, individual permits to allow potbelly pigs might suffice.
I think it wrong why is it ok to kill pig but not ok to love one these are not a toy there alive and they feel pain they hurt i have a hog i bought i left my home move to small town they let us move here landlord has no promble but the cheif let us stay now 3 yr later police cheif make it hard on us no one see her she blind now bother no one she my life so how can u take away what love us just to let other kill i think as long as you care then and they dont bother no one they are special so let us keep them safe
This is horribly sad! Dana adores her pigs and takes very good care of them.
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The city council officially walked back Ordinance 952 today and Wilbur and Fern are safe at home. I honestly never imagined this would happen but you all kept pushing until they finally listened. This outcome belongs entirely to you.
October 6, 2016
Final supporters
What is Ordinance 952? This ordinance is part of the Animal Control ordinances that regulate the keeping of animals within the city limits of Jonesboro. This law was originally passed in 1952 (amended 1982 by the City Council). Section 7: Housing states No person shall cause or allow any stable or place where any animal is or may be kept to become unclean or unwholesome and it shall be unlawful to keep any live swine or pigs within the corporate limits of the City of Jonesboro. Chapter 10-7. Keeping of Swine states it shall be unlawful to keep any live swine within the corporate limits of the city (this refers to the original ordinance 952). The spirit of this ordinance is for feeder and breeder pigs, not potbelly pigs that are domesticated.
History of the Potbelly. The first imports to the US occurred in 1986. US zoos were the main target for the piglets, but private owners soon began purchasing them as pets. Potbellies are very smart, they are ranked just behind primates and dolphins and are said to have the intelligence of a 3-4 year old child. They make great pets but do require owners to be diligent with the rules and "baby proof" their living area as it is like having a 3 year old child at times. They are very social animals and get along with other animals, especially if they have grown up with them. They can be trained to perform many “tricks” or tasks. They are even being used to find truffles, as drug sniffing animals, and as assistance animals in some cases. Potbellies are naturally clean animals if they are allowed to be so. They only roll in mud to keep cool as they only sweat through their nose. If your potbelly is kept inside or is given a kid’s play pool with clean water they will be just as happy. They want to keep their sleeping and living areas clean, so they will usually find an out of the way area to use the bathroom.
As many of you know I have Wilbur & Fern. I was cited this week by Animal Control for having them and given a warning and told I had to get rid of them within 30 days. These are not just pets but are part of my family. We are devastated at the mere thought of having to rehome them. Due to the intelligence of the Potbelly, the grieve & often when separated from their owners don't survive because they grieve themselves to death.
Signing Petition to amend Ordinance 952, which was originally adopted in 1952 in the spirit of the breeder pig. Amendment to allow domesticated potbellies as pets within city limits of Jonesboro.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
August 1, 2016
July 31, 2016
I am honestly overwhelmed by how many people care about Wilbur and Fern. We are nearing a thousand signatures and I know this momentum belongs entirely to the kindness of those who signed. If we could just invite a few more neighbors to the table today we might finally be heard.
Reached 100 supporters
July 29, 2016
705 Comments
I think they should be able to keep their family members. Just because they are pigs does not mean that they can not be a great pet! Pot belly pigs are extremely smart and they can even be trained to use a liter box! Let them keep them!!
Let us also remember that pigs very emotionally intelligent animals who are know to be smarter even than most dog breeds. They are clean and loving. This ordinance is outdated and has not accounted for the rise in pet pigs. An amendment is the logical solution.
We have had neighbors before with a pot belly pig for a pet and she was a great pet. They choose the pig because she had hair instead of fur and they couldn't have other animals because of allergies. We never had a problem with her.
My neighbor in town was allowed to have a rooster in their backyard, which woke me up every morning for 3 years, so I guess a potbellied pig as an indoor pet, which will not bother anyone or be s food source. should be allowed as well.
My family agrees with you 100%. When you bring any type of domesticated animal into your family, it becomes just that, FAMILY ! Not only are we going to sign this petition, but will also be praying for you that this gets changed in your favor.
Domesticated potbelly pigs are pets no different than many other types. There should be a change in the ordinance to differentiate between them and livestock/breeder pigs. Alternatively, individual permits to allow potbelly pigs might suffice.
I think it wrong why is it ok to kill pig but not ok to love one these are not a toy there alive and they feel pain they hurt i have a hog i bought i left my home move to small town they let us move here landlord has no promble but the cheif let us stay now 3 yr later police cheif make it hard on us no one see her she blind now bother no one she my life so how can u take away what love us just to let other kill i think as long as you care then and they dont bother no one they are special so let us keep them safe
This is horribly sad! Dana adores her pigs and takes very good care of them.
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I think they should be able to keep their family members. Just because they are pigs does not mean that they can not be a great pet! Pot belly pigs are extremely smart and they can even be trained to use a liter box! Let them keep them!!