Pet pig still in holding pattern in Huntingburg
The Huntingburg Council did not pass a new animal ordinance with an exception for pot-belly pigs during Tuesday’s regular meeting.
This left Michael and Allison Bauer in the lurch waiting to hear whether they can keep their pet Vietnamese pot-belly pig at their home in Jacob Court. “We are just sick with worry,” Michael Bauer said about the stalled decision. “It’s on our mind all day long. It’s hard to function.”
The Bauer’s prompted the city to reexamine the city animal ordinance after they were reported to the city code enforcement officer for having the miniature pig in city limits. According to current Huntingburg zoning ordinance, no farm animals are allowed in the city limits.
Mr. Bauer pointed out the city ordinance was older than the pigs’ introduction to the United States as pets in 1985. Base on the age of the ordinance and the fact it only addressed dogs as pets, the council decided to have City Attorney Phil Schneider review the current animal ordinance and provide an updated draft.
At last month’s meeting, Schneider provided that draft and several edits were suggested including allowing the feeding of wild birds and squirrels and increasing the size of the pot-belly pig allowed in the city.
The amended ordinance introduced Tuesday night allows an exemption for miniature pot-belly pigs with a few conditions including their size cannot exceed 22 inches in height at the withers and 150 lbs. in weight; proper vaccinations must be documented by a veterinarian; and an annual registration with the city with a filing fee of $15. The ordinance also limits households to one pot-bellied pig.
By state statute, ordinances can be considered for adoption after two public readings. This is to allow the public time to review and comment on proposed ordinances. However, the council can consider an ordinance on its first reading if they approve considering after its first reading unanimously.
At Tuesday’s meeting council members Alex Blackgrove and Steve McPherron voted against the ordinance being considered as it was written with the pot-bellied pig exemption.
Blackgrove stated he felt the city should not allow the exemption due to the potential problems it could cause with residents keeping the miniature pigs in city limits. “I am under the opinion that we should not allow the exemption,” he said. “I know you guys do a great job at keeping yours groomed. We have to look out for all the city because not everyone is going to do what you guys do.”
Mr. Bauer pointed out this was the same with any animal kept as a pet.
Councilwoman Amy Lehr stated the ordinance provied stricter guidelines for pot-bellied pigs than for dogs and cats. “There is a bigger problem with cats and dogs than with pot-bellied pigs,” she said. “This is a good time to say this is where we draw the line.”
Councilman Glen Kissling stated for him the issue about the pig came down to the fact he personally didn’t want someone to tell him what he can or can’t do in his home. He even referred to the song by the Canadian group Five Man Electric Band from 1971, Signs, which protested an overreaching government.
Councilman Steve McPherron stated he was concerned about how the city will regulate or enforce the ordinance exemption regarding the pig.
Based on the reasons stated, Steve McPherron and Alex Blackgrove opposed the ordinance as written. Due to a lack of second to consider the ordinance on first reading, the ordinance will be considered for adoption at the next meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 28, at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.
The council also took the following actions.
-Approved advertising to hire an additional gas department employee.
-Mayor Denny Spinner stated the final 5-5-5 5K run/walk was held last Friday. He reported that over 900 people participated in the five 5ks held over the summer; 390 individual people participated and 90 people earned a shirt for participating in all five 5ks.
-Heard the Stellar Committee will be traveling to Indianapolis on Thursday to hear which two of the six cities in the running for the grants will be receiving the designation. The designation will make the city eligible to received up to $10 million in grants to fund citywide improvements including a citywide trail, expanded housing areas, Fourth Street improvements, a new park and more.
