Posts tagged "falk"

It's a victory for swine lovers everywhere.

Last fall we told you about Strawberri, a 300-pound Yorkshire pig who lived with a family in Southwest Ranches, Fla. After town officials told the Falk family that petite potbellied pigs were the only kind of porkers allowed in town, the family announced they'd move before they abandoned their beloved pet.

Seven months later, locals no longer have to worry about a 300-pound pig. Strawberri is now full-grown and 600 pounds! But she hasn't gone anywhere, and neither have the Falks. Last week, the Southwest Ranches town council voted unanimously to change the swine ordinance, making all pigs welcome in the Florida town, Miami's WTVJ reports.

As a piglet, Strawberri slept in bed with the Falks' daughter, Kai. Now that she's outgrown her bed, she stays out back in the barn, where she roams with the family's horses, goats and chickens.

"It was a relief. I'm excited it's over," owner Harmonee Falk told WTVJ. "It's something that should've happened a long time ago."

Looks like Strawberri can breathe a big squeal of relief.

What do you do when your house isn't zoned for keeping pigs? If you're Rob Falk of Southwest Ranches, Florida, the decision is simple: You move.

Last week, city council officials gave Falk and his family 30 days to remove their pet pig, Strawberry, from their home, Fox News reported. But Falk balked at the suggestion.

Falk, his wife and their young daughter plan to leave their rented home -- and they're taking Strawberry with them, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported.

The town does allow one pet pot-bellied pig per household, according to the Sun Sentinel. But Strawberry is no petite pot-bellied. She's a Yorkshire pig, and at nine months old already weighs 300 pounds. As a full-grown porker, she'll tip the scales at 400 to 500 pounds and sport a seriously big pair of tusks -- attributes that led the town council to vote down the pig.

For Falk, the choice was clear. "How do you tell somebody to get rid of one of their animals? The pig is like one of our children," he told the Sun Sentinel.