HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem #64 - Discussion Itemfires the Potgellyla'Plg" 28
Ms.Laurie Lutes
Cittyy of Miami City Manager
350% Pan American Drive
Miami, FLA 33133
Dear Ms. Lutes,
I would like to be but on the September loth agenda to propose that the City Commission
revise_ the CITY CODE SECTION 6-1 to specifically define neutered} miniature Vietnamese
Pt- Ply Pigs_ -weighing less than 1001bs that are kept inside as HOUSE PET$ makinz them -
legal in the Miami city limits_
I have spoken to Mr. Joseph Genuarty in zoning administration who is of the opinion they
should be considered house pets and is writing a letter reflecting this. He is planning on
making a zoning amendment to this effect.
My name is Derek Murphree, I live at 3156 Mary #C in Coconut Grove, 33133 and I have
the privilege of being the owner of a registered miniature Vietnamese Pot -Bellied Pig. His
name is Piggamon and he weighs approximately 35 pounds, he is litter box trained, walks on a
leash like a dog, but he is cleaner and smarter than our dog.
So far every one in code enforcement is of the opinion that it is illegal to own one of these
affectionate house pets based on City Code section 6-1. If I am not mistaken they are
referring to a section referring to "grazing animals." The definition of grazing animals is
included and says nothing about pigs.I should, however, point out that exotic miniature
Vietnamese Pot -Belly Pigs are not raised as "grazing animals," or livestock, but as indoor
house pets. These little creatures are litter -box trainable by the time they are weaned.
The New World Dictionary defines livestock as "domestic animals kept for use on a farm or
raised. for sale and profit." The same dictionary defines pet as "an animal that is tamed and
kept as a companion and treated with fondness." It is understandable that the city wants to
ban large , squealing "bacon hogs" used for food; they should be confined to rural areas. But
miniature Vietnamese Pot -Belly Pigs are raised in this country as house pets, not for food.
I would like to respectfully request that the city commission act swiftly and join scores of
other cities across the USA and revise the city code to specifically allow neutered Vietnamese
Pot -Belly Pigs to be kept in the city of Miami. I thank you and Piggamon thanks you.
17 July, 1992 Phone 441-9257
,1
free he Pott Pig,
My name is Derek Murphree, I live in Coconut Grove, and I have the privilege of being the
owner of a registered miniature Vietnamese Pot -Bellied Pig. His name is Piggamon and he
weighs approximately 35 pounds, he is litter box trained, walks on a leash like a dog, but he
is cleaner and smarter than our dog.
So far every one in Zoning enforcement is of the opinion that it is illegal to own one of these
affectionate house pets based on City Code section 6-1. If I am not mistaken they are
referring to a section referring to "grazing animals." The definition of grazing animals is
included and says nothing about pigs.
should however point out that exotic miniature Vietnamese Pot -Belly Pigs are not raised
as "grazing animals," or livestock, but as indoor house Refs. These little creatures are litter.
box trainable by the time they are weaned.
The New World Dictionary defines livestock as "domestic animals kept for use on a farm or
raised for sale and profit. " The same dictionary defines pet as "an animal that is tamed and
kept as a companion and treated with fondness "
It is understandable that the city wants to ban large , squealing "bacon hogs" used for food;
they should be confined to rural areas. But miniature Vietnamese Pot -Belly Pigs are raised
in this country as house pets, not for food.
These pets are affectionate, intelligent, clean and easy to train. They range in price from
$500 to $5,000 each.
The City Commission should distinguish Vietnamese and other exotic miniature pigs
between farm animals and pets, and revise the city code as well as zoning to
specifically allow neutered, miniature Vietnamese Pot -Belly Pigs weighing less than
100 Ibs that are kept as house pets to be kept in the Miami city limits.
There is little danger of these animals running amok, as few owners of a pet that costs
several thousand dollars will let them run wild.
I would like to respectfully request that the city commission act today and join scores of
other cities across the USA and revise the city code to specifically allow neutered
Vietnamese Pot -Belly Pigs to be kept in the city of Miami. I thank you and Piggamon
thanks you.
November 11,1992 Phone 441-9257
92- 745.3
l.,
I t of�MtUntf
SERGIO RODRIGUEZ, AICP
Director
July 22, 1992
Mr. Derek Murphree
3156 Mary Street, /C
Miami, FL 33133
Re: Vietnamese Pot -Bellied Pig as a House Pet
Dear Mr. Murphree:
CESAR H. ODIO
City Manager
I have reviewed the information you sent me and the City of Miami
Code and Zoning Ordinance in reference to your request to keep a
Pot -Bellied Pig in your home as a house pet.
This animal 1s not listed in the City of Miami Code, Chapter 6,
Section 6.1(a) as a grazing animal or under any other category.
The present City of Miami Zoning Ordinance 11000, as amended,
under Article 25, Definitions, defines Pet Store as: 'A retail
sale establishment primarily involved in the sale of domestic
animals, such as dogs, cats, fish, birds and reptiles; excluding
exotic animals and farm animals, such as horses, goats, sheep and
poultry. Again, pigs are not mentioned in this definition.
However, based on the size, approximately 35 pounds, and that it
will not be used for breeding purposes or for meat products, it
1s my determination that you may keep a Vietnamese Pot -Bellied
Pig in your home as a pet with the following conditions:
1. Only one may be kept in a household.
2. The pig is neutered.
3. That you abide by Section 6-2 of the City Code, Animals
not to run at large and primarily kept indoors as a
house pet. (See attached copy).
4. No nuisance complaints received from surrounding
neighbors.
The first opportunity I have I will recommend an amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance.
PLANNING, BUILDING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT
275 N.W. 2nd Street/P.O. Box 330708/Miami, FL 33233-0708/(305) 579-6800
the.:;;
10 nFIP
DEAN L. MOENTMAN, DV M.
HOSPITAL 595.2987
EMERGENCY 530-9471
13902 WAL5INGHAM ROAD • LAAGO, FLORIDA 34644
Nov. 22, 1991
To whom it may concern,
The issue of keeping a Vietnamese Pbt-Bellied Pig
eq a pet in one's home has become somewhat of a controversy
bec,iuse of opposing facts. While it is true that it is a
pig, its small size and cleanliness allow it to be kept
inside as a pet.
Tt would seem to me that for one to take the approach
that a pig is a pig is a pig is somewhat narrow-minddd.
Having been raised on a .farm in the mid -west allowed me
to see both sides of the coin. nn one hand, although my
sister and T were raised with tame pigs and pet runts,it
was obvious that; because of the size that they would one
day become that they would never live in my father's house
as pets. They were livestock.
On the other hand, the Pot-Rellied pig, because of its
small size, is born and raised, in .this country, with
humans and within their homes.. The literature supports
that they are less "dangerous" from a disease stand—
point than dogs and cats. They can be litter trained
and never be accused of fertilizing someone else's
yard as canines often are accused.
Tn my opinion these are domestic pets rather than
domestic livestock. A distinction between the two should
be made and based on breed registration and maximum
permi_ssable size. in residential settings, numbers per
11ouspbo l d should. be limited and neutering mandated. They
are certainly suited as hnusehold pets and although some
individuals may think it; strange, keeping Pot -Bellied pigs
92- 745*3
Is no more strange 1;ha.n keeping birds of ,makes or
ot:tier. exol,ie snimals nn pelln.
PI" fit -size
.,
0
p1g Wills.
0
a reprieve
[let porker allowed
to Stay pending
review or citv's
livestock ortlitimice.
�n�• .►lilt nll.hs
Trihnne SIM( Wrifer
SAiTITY IIARtit►R -- Thin
fire pet pig won n reprlrvr Mon -
(JOY, hilt het hlhrrp Is mtirhly.
The Vlrfnn►nese pnl-hr111rd
pig rnnir In the city cninmlcsinn
to try In prnve she's A pet, not
livestock.
f`IR nwnrrs defended her. in Srptenrher, n poi-heliled
hroptrly nwnrrs scorned her. A pig nnnted DnI4V find inn enl
p0l Ornised tier. in Itie hnr e. CIIZ Com►rllsglon for
In flip end. Ihr nttnin1me prrmisc nil In any in lown.
pnrker and tier owner. Snfrly Tinn's rnuTirea-a nr r tnst
finrhnr regI(lent Jnnrl 'thntnp• week with hn nnndlimout rnln-
ettn, ann n tenrpnrnry vlrinry: pininl, A rodo enforcement offl-
Tlnn rnn slny, pending review' of rer told Thoinpsnn flint Tinn
n 21-yenrAd ordinnnrr prnhihil• wrtnld hnve to an, unless Thomp-
InR livestnck on smnii tots. son npprnird.
Other tiny nren rifles hnve hurtnp Mnndny's meeting,
fnred slmllnr rnnfroversies. Tinn Onyed In the city hnll
Mnny llnve ordinnnres hnnninp, hreer.ewny with hotkchop, tvhn
llveelnrk in fi►p city ihnits, tint ilves Ire Paint Tinrhnr with owner
flip rnirs were wrilirn before 1'hrla11np T1Prm. T`orkchop sport-
flie mininln►e Impnrled pets ed n hnnner Ihnf rend: "I cny
cnme on the scene. 'ilnn slnrt."
~1
C*neerely
T,. Moen tman t D.V.M.
triblino phdlddrhph by BnUCE 110SK1140
Potshot, A ViptMtnese pot-b6illed pig, secomptinitd by
Jennilor Medvid, i611, And Melisyt+ Mdpttll lhdWA h14 §Up -
port for tine tilt n oity c6mmi0lotl ttM6611ng Mb idilry night.
The discuOlori AllrArf6d h
sitrhrfingg-rdom-only crowd.
"hring 111tth Ih;" thOy Chnntpd.
Taut tho (Nis plga stayed nalslde
undNr flit, wittehtul eye of a dep-
uty theriff.
on the Allier side of the
fence *t-te aeighhor4 who
fenred ti9111a odors And falling
property Vnhttis.
Tinn couldn't comthent, but n
tesidr.iit tried (d brbvide words
for her In A phem:
"You see I'm a reitulnr holler
Pet find. g601e A9 chn be ... slnr:P
lhl4 is Snfely lintbor, then let it
bit h hnrhnr AI sntely for me."
92 - 745.4
i
Members are working hard at
changing city ordinances not
allowing potbellied pigs. Here
are the newest successes:
ST. PETERSBURG, FL
RENO, NV
PINELLAS PARK, FL
SAFETY HARBOR, FL
LA MESA, CA
S. PASADENA, CA
VACAVILLE, CA
LEE COUNTY, FL
KANSAS CITY, MO
PALOUSE, WA
if you've bpnn able to change
ordinances in ,your area, please
let us know and send us clips
from the work you've done. Your
successes are helping others to
be successful, too.
ATTENTION POTBELLIED PIG LOVERS
IN AKRON, OHIO, AREA: Folks in your
area are trying to fight city ordinances
prohibiting potbellied pigs. If you see a petition,
sign it. If you'd like to know more, call or
write Terry Skinner at (216) 725-8926 or
PO Box 975, Medina, OH, 44256.
An ordinance from Palouse, WA
amending the regulations on
swine in the city limits: ...It is
unlawful for any person to keep live
swine within the corporate limits of the
city except any miniature pig weighing
not more than 125 pounds and
continuously registered with a nationally
recognized Miniature Pig Association...
"Pig" means any pig weighing not more
than 125 pounds who is continuously
registered with a nationally recognized
Miniature Pig Association.
(For more information on this ordinance
and how you can fight outdated ordinances in
your area, contact the PPRSI for a zoning
packet at 219-784-2989.)
92" 74S,3
r
LEE COUNTY ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE LEE COUNTY ZONING
ORDINANCE No. 86-17, AS AMENDED, SO AS TO
AMEND SECTION 202.04, ANIMALS, REPTILES AND
MARINE LIFE; TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION FOR
VIETNAMESE POT-BELLIND PIGS; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY, CONFLICT, INCLUSION IN CODE,
CODIFICATION, SCRIVENER-S ERRORS AND EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County,
Florida, has adopted the Lee County Zoning Ordinance No. 86-17,
as amended; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Lee County,
Florida, wishes to provide an exemption for Vietnamese
j Pot-bellied Pigs to allow them in all residential zoning
i
districts as pets.
I NON, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
1 COMMISSIONERS OF LEE COUNTY, FLORIDR# THAT$
SECTION ONEt
The Lee County Zoning Ordinance, Number 86-170 as amended, is
hereby amended as follows, with underlined language being an
addition to the previously adopted text and deleted language
being shown by struck through type.
SECTION TNOt
Section 202.04, ANIMALS, REPTILES AND NARINE LIFE by amending
202.04.C. as followst
CCVVTiNu�'�)
92- '745.3
C . GOATS, - gSP a SWINE
f
1. Except as provided in sub -section F-2., the keeping,
raising and breeding of goats, sheep, or swine shall
be permitted in any AG district as follows
4-r a. Goats, sheep, and swine shall not be kept or
allowed to run within one hundred (100) feet
of any dwelling unit under separate ownership
>;
unless the property on which the dwelling unit
is located is being used for bona fide
agricultural purposes.
Ov b. Buildings or other roofed structures for
keeping of goats, sheep, or swine shall be set
1
back a minimum of three hundred (300) feet
u t
from any dwelling unit under separate
ownership unless the property on which the
dwelling unit is located is being used for
`t
bona fide agricultural purposes.
2. The keeping and raising of Vietnamese Pot-bellied
pigs (Sus scrota bittatus) as a household pet shall
be allowed in all residential districts. Vietnamese
;r
Pot-bellied pigs shall be limited to no more than
four (4) pigs per dwelling unit. No other species of
s
pig or hog may be kept or maintained in residential
districts within the unincorporated areas of Lee
`
County.
40RD I NANC6S
MILES CITY, MONTANA
AU ORDINANCE AMENDING 'TITLE 8, CHAPTER 8.02.020 (b) OF THE
MILES CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES AS IT RELATES TO KEEPING CERTA I N
ANIMALS WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MILES CITY,
MONTANA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 8.02.020 (b) is hereby amended to read:
(b) This section shall not apply to domestic or house—
hold pets, that is, parakeets. canaries and similar type
birds, and to Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pigs, providing that the
pets are not a nuisance or a hazard so as to endanger public
health.
Said ordinance read and pat upon its passage this 12th day of
February, 1991.
George --We/ Huss, Chairman
Cir Cguncil
ATTEST.
City Clerk/Tres urer
FINALLY PASSED AND ADOPTED this 25th day of February, 1991.
ATTEST.
City Clerk/Treasurer
George —tali Huss, Cha
C.i•t�y_ C,oit n c i 1
A
A
92- ' �
i
ORDIrIANCC No. 257�`
Q/ AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF TitE CITY OF YU14AII
ARTZONA, AMPNI).MG ORDINANCE NO. 25260 PERTAINING TO TIIE
imr., T.Nc, Of SWINE WITHIN TIIE CITY 'LIMITS, BY RtP ALIN0,
AUTOMATIC E'XPIRA'rION PROVISIONS CONTAINPI) IN
t SrCTION 2 OF SAID ORDINANCE.
WITEREAS, tier•. City Council adopted ordinance No. 2526
lY 0II Jt ly 17, 1991, allowing for the keeping of registered,
purebred miniature pot-bellied pigs within the City limits,,
Ftild, �.
WIiEREAS, said Ordinance contained an automatic
xpi.r. ci t..l on one year after adoption, and,
y
WHEIREAS, the City Council, upon considering all
comments and information regarding this matter, is desirous;
or tri l l ow i. ng such animals to continue to be kept within r by
C It:y 1.1.11ci.t:s,
J
14OW TItEREFORE, bp it: ordained by the City Council. of
the City of: Yuma as follows:
1. That Ordinance No. 2526 is hereby amended by
rr_pealing Section 2 of same pertaining to automatic
expiration' one year after adoption.
2. That all other provisions of Ordinance No. '2526
shall continue in full force and effect.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of
ATTEST:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
APPROVEM:
Robert Ii. Tippett, M yor
REVIEWED BY:
i
C: t..y Attorney City Administrator
61
i
92- '74
y
i
Amend Portland City Code Section 13.16.100 relating to swine to allow
pot-bellied pigs to be kept as pets in the City. (Ordinance).
The City of Portland ordains:
Section 1. The Council finds:
1. That at present the City Code does not allow for the keeping
of any swine in the City for periods of longer than three
(3) days.
2. That there is a miniature breed of swine, commonly referred
to as the Vietnamese, Oriental or Chinese Pot -Bellied Pig
(sus scrofa vittatus) that is now becoming increasingly
popular as a house pet.
3. That this particular breed of swine is capable of being
regulated as dogs and therefore present no inherent threat
or danger to the public health, safety and welfare.
14OW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
a. Portland City Code Section 13.16.100 is hereby amended by
substituting the following sections for the existing
section:
13.16::1(70'},. Swine Not'•Allowed in City; Exception.
A. It is unlawful to have or to keep within
the limits of the City, any live pigs or swine
for any period longer than three (3) days.
B. Notwithstanding the above or the terms of
13.16.120, the having or keeping of swine
commonly referred to as Miniature Vietnamese,
Chinese or Oriental pot-bellied pigs (sus scrofa
vittatus) is allowed, subject to the following:
1. Pig or swine shall be considered to fall
within this exception if their maximum height is
no greater than eighteen inches (18") at the
shoulder and it weighs no more than ninety-five
(95) pounds;
2. No more than three (3) pigs shall be kept
at any one address for any period in excess of
three (3) days.
Passed by the Council, JUN 2 7 1991 BARBARA CLARK
Auditor of the City of Portland `
Commissioner Gretchen Y.afoury �y ��� �QS�
Paul C. Elsner.:br/ts Deputy
June a, 1991 - animal\potbelly.pig
92- 745.3