Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 18, 1995 TAG: 9507180063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SHANNON D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Emma Saunders has been without her three Vietnamese potbellied pigs for nearly three weeks because Vinton's town code doesn't allow them. She says she's been miserable.
"I've missed the little rascals running through the house," Saunders said Monday.
But tonight she hopes for a reunion with her animals. She will ask Vinton's Town Council to amend its code to classify potbellied pigs as pets.
Saunders kept all three of her pigs - Wilbur, Arnold and Charlotte - at her Vinton home until neighbors began to complain, particularly about Wilbur, the mischievous one of the bunch who had been snooping around a nearby cherry tree.
Responding to the complaints, an animal control officer told Saunders she would have to find another home for the pigs. Saunders' cousin in Roanoke has been keeping the pigs until the issue is resolved.
Saunders will ask the council to consider an amendment to classify potbellied pigs as domestic animals instead of livestock, said Clay Goodman, town manager.
Saunders has been rallying support for her cause.
She has collected more than 500 signatures on a petition that she presented to Goodman. He also got a visit from Saunders and her female pig, Charlotte.
Saunders said she will bring Charlotte to tonight's council meeting.
"People ought to see her," she said. "That's the issue."
Other pig owners have supported Saunders, including Bill Thompson, who says he will bring one of his two pigs, Jessabelle, to the council meeting.
Thompson, whose other pig is named Dinner, has been one of Saunders' biggest supporters.
Dinner and Jessabelle are probably two of the most famous pigs in the Roanoke Valley, Thompson said, because they've made several appearances at schools and on television shows.
Thompson drummed up support for Saunders' pigs at the farmers' market in Vinton two weeks ago, circulating a petition while pulling Jessabelle around in a wagon.
"The biggest thing is that these pigs are not livestock," Thompson said. Classifying a potbellied pig as livestock is "like saying a Chihuahua is like a wolf."
"Contrary to popular belief, they are very clean animals," Thompson said, adding that the pigs do not have sweat glands.
The pigs also are obedient - neither of his pigs needs a leash, he said.
Thompson is hoping to form an association of potbellied-pig owners for the Roanoke Valley, and says he knows of about 12 pigs in Roanoke alone.
Fran Houghtaling, owner of Fran's Auto, also has shown her support by displaying a sign outside her business that reads, "Save the Pigs." Houghtaling was Charlotte's previous owner.
Even if an amendment is passed, Saunders will be able to keep only two of her pigs. Another section of the town's animal control code allows only two pets per household.
"I'm going to go ahead and give up Wilbur," Saunders said. In return for watching the pigs, she said she will let her cousin keep him.
Saunders has two Chihuahuas that she may have to give up if she gets to keep the pigs.
If Town Council doesn't allow Saunders to keep the pigs, she said she won't stop there, even if she has to take action in court.
"If they're worth having," she said, "they're worth fighting for."
by CNB