
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 18, 1995                   TAG: 9510180078
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

POTBELLIED-PIG OWNER'S PLEAS DON'T GET BAN LIFTED

The owner of three potbellied pigs took one more shot Tuesday night at persuading Vinton Town Council to change its animal control law that bans her pets.

But council wouldn't budge.

``I'm just asking you to let me have my pigs,'' said Emma Saunders, owner of Wilbur, Arnold and Charlotte, three Vietnamese potbellied pigs.

``You fellows don't know what these pigs have done to our home,'' she said, explaining that the pigs have been therapeutic for two handicapped children in her household.

Several of Saunders' neighbors also spoke in support of the pigs.

``These pigs are not a threat to Vinton,'' said Donna White, who lives across the street from the Saunderses. ``I don't see why there's any problem with them.''

One Vinton resident openly opposed the pigs and said she spoke for a number of other Vinton residents.

``I feel like any type of pigs should live in the country,'' Claudia Ellis said. ``Regardless of whatever name it has attached to it, it wouldn't make much of a difference.''

Saunders argued that the pigs are not barnyard animals.

``People just don't want to realize what these pigs really are,'' she said.

Town Council listened but took no action.

``As long as the people have expressed their views, we should move on to the next agenda item,'' Town Attorney Buck Heartwell said.

While leaving the council chambers, Saunders challenged the town to summon her to court over the issue. She said she expects animal control officers to cite her for the violation today.

Saunders will have one more chance to fight the issue in court, where in August a Roanoke County judge ruled that the previous law was too vague to pertain to potbellied pigs.

Since then, Town Council amended its illegal pet list, specifically naming potbellied pigs.

All three of the pigs were back in Vinton on Tuesday after two were taken to an uncle's farm in Covington on Friday.

Saunders was concerned that Charlotte, the remaining pig, might grieve herself to death. The pig would not eat or sleep, she said. After consulting her veterinarian and attorney, Saunders brought Charlotte's playmates back Monday night.

by CNB