Little Molly Kirkman made a simple plea to Pensacola City Council members after her family made a presentation about potbellied pigs and their pet pig, Buttercup.
“I sure hope all you councilors will let me keep Buttercup,†the 9-year-old said. “I lover her so much and she is adorable.â€
In the end, the city council voted 5-3 to change its animal control ordinance to allow Buttercup and other pigs to live in the city limits. Council members Larry Johnson, Megan Pratt and Jewel Cannada-Wynn voted against allowing potbellied pigs to live in Pensacola. Council member Brian Spencer did not attend the meeting.
After the vote Laura Kirkman, Molly’s mother, celebrated by throwing her hands up in the air and yelling, “Does that mean we won? Yes! Woooooo!â€
Pensacola City Councilwoman Sherri Myers crafted the city’s new rules modeled after ones in St. Petersburg, Fla., for Buttercup and her potbellied friends.
The new law gives them equal rights with dogs, cats and other pets by classifying them as “domestic†rather than “livestock†animals. Myers also added several restrictions, such as requiring pigs to be neutered, allowing only one pig per household and prohibiting breeding.
Plus, the council accepted an amendment by Charles Bare to allow homeowners associations to make their own rules on whether to welcome potbellied pigs.
“These are good pets,†Myers said. “I’ve never had a potbellied pig chase me down the street while riding my bicycle.â€
She added: “I did research on pig bites. I could not find any stats. I did for dog bites. There are 4.5 million every year and half involve children.â€
Pratt said she wanted government to move slow on the city law changes. “Right now, we are rushing because we see a nice family that loves their pet. There are reasons we take things slowly. I think (rushing) is not the way good government is done.â€
Meanwhile, Johnson opposed allowing Pensacola families to keep their Buttercups. He said he asked 30 people and only three were pro potbellied pigs.
“I believe pigs do not belong in an urban environment,†he said.
Councilman Gerald Wingate grew up on a farm and once raised 65 pigs. “My experience with hogs were they really are gentle animals.â€
– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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