Pot-bellied pigs granted OK in residential areas

Eric Leake

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005 | 9:31 a.m.

Wallowing in discussion of stink, pig feces, and pygmy goats, the North Las Vegas City Council decided Wednesday to allow pot-bellied pigs in residential zones.

By a 3-to-2 vote the city council approved an amended ordinance to allow the pet pigs with a special use permit. Owners must also submit yearly documentation that the pigs are not too fat or tall and must pay licensing fees similar to those for dogs.

The special use permit must be granted by the planning commission and costs a one-time $400. The city reserves the right to revoke the permit if problems arise.

Councilwoman Stephanie Smith said the arrangement should "grant the most protection to neighbors and allow people to have the pets."

Mayor Michael Montandon, and Councilman Robert Eliason voted with Smith to pass the ordinance.

Smith said that in the years since the city first approved pot-bellied pigs on ranch estates, she had not heard of any complaints. She said pigs shouldn't cause any problems that a large dog wouldn't also cause.

Residents of the North Las Vegas neighborhood that is also home to Penelope, the pot-bellied pig that prompted the ordinance, said stench was their main concern.

Neighbors showed pictures of pig feces scattered about the backyard of the home where the pig lives. Edward Tellis, who lives behind the pig, said he can't enjoy his backyard because of the smell caused by Penelope and, he argued, allowing pigs will open the door to other farm animals being kept as pets.

"If you allow one, there'll be another. Next week it'll be a goat," Tellis said.

Councilwoman Shari Buck echoed his concern. "I think people should have the right to be in their backyard and not be bothered by flies or smell," she said.

"I do think they're farm animals. I think so are pygmy goats, miniature horses, and everything else that people call pets," Buck said.

Connie Christofferson, who owns Penelope, and her friends tried hard to dissuade the council that pigs do not stink and should be treated as any other pet.

Christofferson prepared a 75-page packet about pot-bellied pigs for each councilmember. She spoke of their diet and hygiene and how she cares for Penelope.

Jared Meeks told the council he lived with Penelope for more than three years.

"It's the same as having a pet dog. Really, it's exactly the same," Meeks said. "Getting rid of her for us would essentially be her life sentence in prison.... She would be horribly lonely."

Councilman William Robinson, who said he was tired of the pig discussion, doubted the pig would know her friends from anybody else. "Pigs stink, period," he said.

Christofferson must now go before the planning commission for the special use permit. The same stink issues should be aired there, and neighbors said they will attend and will be well prepared.

Despite the time, cost, and emotional drain, Christofferson said taking the issue before the city has been worth it, even if she would have lost.

"She's my baby," she said. "You've got to fight for what you love."