Photo: Sam Saccone, The Fayetteville Observer
Little did Pia know she was violating a Fayetteville ordinance banning the keeping of swine. But Pia insists it's just plain hogwash and is fighting to get the law changed on behalf of her son, Anthony.
"Soon as he saw her, it was love at first sight," Pia told WRAL News, recalling Anthony's first meeting with the female pig they named Loopey. Anthony doted on Loopey, wrapping her in a towel like a baby. As the piglet grew, they comforted each other through thunderstorms and played in the family's enormous backyard. Each night, the 80-pound hog slept in Anthony's room. Each day, Anthony raced home from school to be with his pet pig.
For a year, boy and pig were happy. "We were just excited for him that finally, he's coming out and he's not in his shell anymore, and he's doing things, and playing and interacting," Pia said.
Then came an unexpected letter from city inspectors, informing the Pias of the Fayettevile ordinance that makes it "unlawful to keep hogs within the corporate limits." A city inspector had spied Loopey in the Pias' backyard while in the neighborhood on an unrelated matter.
The Pias were devastated when they returned Loopey to the ranch where they had bought her. But they hope it's only temporary.
On August 10, the Pias -- wearing T-shirts emblazoned with a picture of Loopey and Anthony and slogans reading "Loopey for Autism. Bring Anthony's Pet Home" -- appealed to the Fayetteville City Council to review the ban on swine, or make an exception for Loopey as a therapy animal for Anthony. (An online petition for "Friends for Loopey" has gathered 2,755 signatures and counting.)
In a small victory, city council members voted 6-2 that day to authorize staff members to research what would be entailed in revising the ordinance. Should the city do away with the ordinance altogether? Or should it require residents wanting to keep pets as pigs to apply for special permits?
The issue is likely to be discussed again at the city council's next work session on September 8, reports the Fayetteville Observer. Meanwhile, Loopey remains on the ranch, but we hope this little piggy will get to go home soon.
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In this instance, Loopie is not a pet...she is a "service pig." Even apartment complexes and other places where pets are prohibited are required to make exceptions for "service animals" to assist people with physical and mental conditions. Has the family tried getting a letter from the Anthony's doctor? Would the town please make an exception in this boy's case if Loopie is deemed a "medically necessary" component of his therapy? Loopie is doing a great job helping Anthony to gain more independence. To me, the benefits of having Loopie around far outweigh any risks of having a pig in the neighborhood...I hope that the neighbors rally behind this family and get the law changed! BTW---a "hog" is defined as "a domesticated swine weighing 120 lb. (54 kg) or more, raised for market. (dictionary.com)." 1) is Loopie that heavy? 2) they aren't raising Loopie to sell her. What does the bylaws of the town define "hog" as? They may be able to use the definitions to their legal advantage...
Unfortunately, I have had the same issue with my autistic sons dog Teddy. Until we got Teddy Joey NEVER spoke or communicated with anyone....Teddy changed all that. And unfortunately, because he doesn't have a legal "service dog" title apartments and other business do not have to recognize him as such. And it costs a minimun of $200 to get him registered as one. Something that right now I can not afford.. So I am just like any other pet owner as far as landlords etc are concerned.
The first person hit it on the HEAD. This is an American Disabilities Act case if I've ever seen it. He has a diagnosis that is clear and it is clear the animal services his needs by bringing him out of his shell. As an educator I deal with kids with disabilities in which I wish there was a cure as simple as this for all austistic children. The law is ignorant to the ADA when it comes to this case. Family go get your pig and call the ACLU!
As usual - another unfounded comment - this pig is NOT trained to mitigate a disability. It is simply a pig making a good PET - not service animal.
One other poster had it correct though - it could be considered a companion animal if the dr wants to recommend it but that is a far cry from being a service animal and being protected under the laws designed for them.
If this pig had been considered a service animal then this story would never have made print. I wish people would get more educated about disability issues before they post their version of misinformation.
The city council has absolutely no clue about Federal Laws that protect service dogs or any animal for that matter. Get a simple letter from the doctor or therapist stating that his pig is a service animal an provides a service to his particular disability..End of story...The council will jump up and down and think t hey are right but they have lost the war....I have a service animal and I've had to listen to every board of director, cop, store owner, landlord health care worker etc say I can't have my Pet in their estabilishment...Personally..I just keep walking past them...Are there any state laws that make it a crime to interferr with a service team in your state...If so ..use them...Charge the inspector and council with the crime and then sue the bejezus out of them ...That will make them think twice about getting in your life again....This isn't a pig issue...its a Federal service animal issue....Good luck..
Most service animals are required to under go some trainning and or certification. While it seems that the pig is doing the boy good that doesn't mean that it is a service animal.
@scadvocate: Maybe K didn't know the legalistic difference between a trained service animal and a companion animal and didn't know what to read to "get educated". I'm sure a lot of people who don't live or work with someone who is disabled don't know the subtle differences. I sure didn't. Please, next time kindly explain it without lambasting the comment.
Great idea about "service pig". That's so correct. I have two therapy dogs and a therapy mini horse. I guess I could take my own black pot bellied pig next! Hope this gets passed for this family's sake!
I think I would be commited to moving the community and making it a public move. You would make more head way that way. I believe that pets are good for children and would move to keep my children and pets together.
Yes please neighbor stand behind this family and support them as if you were in their shoes!!! This pet is a miracle for this little boy!!
Let this animal stay with this kid! I can't see anything better for a child who is autistic than a loving and helpful animal. Shame on that inspector. This animal has plenty of room in the back yard to roam about without bothering anyone. I hope the city make an exception on this case.
For God's sake, let this family keep their pig. The pig is clearly an "assistive animal."
FYI: Trained pigs are typically better behaved and cleaner...yes cleaner than the average dog which carries worms which are transmitted to kids. The eggs can live for years in the soil and a dog is simply reinfected along with the family.
Pigs are smart too! Let the kid keep the pig.
Let the boy keep his pot bellied pig it's not like it's a 1200 pound hog if it helps him let him be
The ordinance is to prevent people from raising farm animals in the residential area. Since this is a "pet" then it should not be considered a farm animal. If their intentions were to sell or eat the pig it might be a farm animal. Since some people are pigs should they not be allowed to live in this neighborhood either.
Love your comment!!
Pigs make great pets. They are very clean and affectionate. Let the kid have his pet and friend.
The poor kid is autistic and loves his pig. I can't believe they would take this animal away from the poor kid. Geez, isn't there something better to worry about in that town? The city council better shape up!
My youngest nephew is 8 and has autisim, and his only frineds are cats--be it stuffed animals or mine (I have 3 cats that I keep as pets)However, after reading this article, I became very upset--I understand the use of service pets, as I work as a nurse, and have worked with people with disabilities, such as MS, who use service animals. Autisim, is a disability that affects 1-60 children across the United States--that is a crippling stat! If this pig allows this child a moment of happiness, and can help promote the growth of the child's intellect, then PLEASE LET HIM KEEP HIS PET!---I have seen the tremendous growth and development in my own nephew with the us of animals (pet therapy) and this could be considered such a situation.
Please consider doing the following:
Get the pig back. Just go to the farm that is housing it and take it home. Send a letter to the municipality stating that this is an emotional support dog/helping dog for your son that is autistic. Put the burden on your municipality to take action against you. Then, if they do, go to the media. Do not know your state or the laws there, but this is just worth doing and hoping that the laws will protect your son.
Contact the Human Relationships Commission in your state and file a complaint of discrimination. Designate that you want to file with the EEOC also. They should do this automatically. If your City has such an agency, file one there too. While there, file a complaint under the Fair Housing Act. They will help you do this if you are unable to do it yourself. In preparation for this, if possible, get a note from son's doctor/therapist/mental health practitioner stating that the pig is an emotional support animal and helps your son with (specify - such as language, behavior, social interaction, etc).
Get an attorney - not essential but may be helpful for a well worded letter- can get one through your County Bar Association, mental health center or other agency that helps people with disabilities. I am not familiar with resources for people with autism but if there is one in your area, contact them.
Good luck to you.
Re: Debbie's comment
I agree with Debbie's comment that the family should take action, however, I think her suggestions are slightly off the mark. The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) can't do anything because this is not an employee/employer dispute. Likewise, contacting the Human Relations Commision would not do any good because the family has not been discriminated against unless the city is allowing another family to keep a pot-bellied pig. I do agree with your suggestions of going to the media and having the family doctor document the theraputic value the pet gives to the child. Otherwise, though, I think the family is doing the right thing by organizing a petitition and asking city hall for an exception or change to the ordinance.