THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605290453
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN WEINTRAUB, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 49 lines
Jennifer Hodge has 2 1/2 weeks to find a new home for herself or for her two Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs.
The Beach resident said she can't think of living without her adorable 75-pound house pets. But she can't really see giving up her home of three years either.
She went before the City Council Tuesday to ask for a third option: changing the city law that prohibits pot-bellied pigs in residential areas.
Hodge says Pepper and Peanut smell better than dogs, are no louder than her 16-month old and are as emotional as she is.
Hodge said all her neighbors signed a petition supporting the pets she has kept for three years. But at least one of them reported the pigs to the city three weeks ago, and has complained to a City Council member that the pigs have scared away people interested in buying her home.
The City Council directed its staff and the Planning Commission to review city restrictions on pot-bellied pigs. But any changes probably won't come soon enough for Hodge, who has until June 14 to move the pigs or face legal action.
``I'm not willing to let this go without a fight,'' Hodge said Tuesday afternoon. ``I probably won't move. I really don't think I'm going to have to.
``Worst-case scenario, I'll retain an attorney,'' she said.
Hodge gave the council information about communities - including Chesapeake and Norfolk - that allow such pigs as household pets.
But city staff members passed out letters from the state veterinarian, the Humane Society of the United States and the American Humane Association that said pot-bellied pigs presented threats to other pigs and pet owners.
The city allows pot-bellied pigs in agricultural districts, but not in residential areas, for fear the animals will pass diseases to people.
There is no rabies vaccine for pigs, and pot-bellied pigs can transmit tuberculosis to humans, city Director of Agriculture Louis E. Cullipher said Tuesday.
The city last reviewed its policy on pot-bellied pigs in 1990 and has cited a half-dozen pig owners since then. After the city threatened legal action, all six pigs were relocated out of the Beach, Assistant City Attorney Vanessa T. Valldejuli told the council.
Veterinarian Tookie Myers, who said he is probably the only Hampton Roads vet who treats pot-bellied pigs, said he knows of about a dozen illegal pigs in Virginia Beach. Speaking on behalf of Hodge, Myers said pot-bellied pigs are perfectly acceptable ``exotic'' pets, that are quiet, clean and housebroken.
KEYWORDS: POT-BELLIED PIGS by CNB