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Oink: Zephyrhills says residents can keep mini pigs

 
Published July 24, 2018

ZEPHYRHILLS — City leaders agreed Monday to allow residents to keep miniature pigs as pets in Zephyrhills.

A month ago, the Zephyrhills City Council asked staffers to come up with an ordinance amendment after two owners of miniature pigs received code enforcement citations and pleaded with the city to allow them to keep their animals.

City Manager Steve Spina said the citations were not the result of complaints about the pigs, but came after officers spotted the animals during service calls on unrelated matters.

With no complaints on the books and an estimated 20 or so miniature pigs living in residential areas, owners found a City Council open to the idea of easing its 25-year ban on "swine" or "pot-bellied pigs" in the city.

During Monday's meeting, the council directed the city attorney to draft an amendment to its animal control ordinance specifically allowing miniature pigs. Language banning swine, pot-bellied pigs and other livestock will remain. This came during a discussion on the difference between miniature and pot-bellied pigs, the latter of which can grow to a much bigger size, staff said.

Council members raised concerns over whether allowing miniature pigs will open the door to new controversies.

"What are we going to do when people want to miniaturize sheep or goats?" City Council Vice President Kenneth Burgess asked.

The council directed that the amendment allow only one miniature pig per single-family home. And mini pigs must be spayed or neutered.

Spina also recommended banning miniature pigs in duplexes and multi-family homes. The council agreed.