THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 16, 1995 TAG: 9509160274
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE STONE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
Pinky is in the pokey.
A morning stroll down busy Princess Anne Road on Friday landed the portly Vietnamese potbellied pig - which had been living in exile - in the city's animal shelter.
However, Pinky Starlight's owner, Virginia Hudgins of Norfolk, can buy her pet's freedom for just $15, plus $6 for each day she's held.
Pinky achieved her 15 minutes of fame about a year ago after a judge - concerned that her overweight condition was cruel - ordered the pig placed on a diet.
Officials believe Pinky's escape was accidental and will file no charges.
``If the owner brings adequate help and transportation big enough, she is free to pick Pinky up at any time,'' said Mike Carey, a police spokesman. ``I talked to the Animal Control supervisor and there will be no fines or anything. It appears the pig got out accidentally.''
Pinky's escape probably left some rush-hour motorists rubbing their eyes, wondering if they were really awake. The pig wandered onto Princess Anne Road not far from the courthouse at about 8 a.m., prompting several calls to police.
The area is dotted by farms, small and large. But it was unclear Friday where Pinky was staying.
Pinky was exiled to Virginia Beach in July from her Norfolk home to avoid being hauled into custody.
Norfolk animal control officials ordered the pig out of town after she was accused of biting a neighbor.
The neighbor, a friend of the family that owns the pig, refused to press charges. Still, Norfolk officials set a one-week deadline for Hudgins to remove the pig from her home.
Pinky first achieved notoriety in November when an animal control officer removed the pig from the home and charged Hudgins with cruelty to animals for overfeeding the pig. Pinky, who stands about 18 inches at the shoulder, weighed 230 pounds.
Hudgins won the battle to keep Pinky at her home in the 8100 block of Simons Drive, north of East Little Creek Road near Forest Lawn Cemetery. But the pig was placed on a court-approved diet. She had dropped to about 180 pounds by May.
When the city issued its ultimatum after the biting incident, Hudgins took Pinky to a friend's home in Virginia Beach near the Municipal Center. She said the move spared her the expense and heartbreak of having Pinky impounded.
Hudgins has said she hopes to take Pinky back home one day. Norfolk officials say ``No way.''
Getting the pig off the road and into the animal shelter Friday proved challenging.
``It was a rather difficult task,'' Carey said. ``They had to call for extra manpower to get her in the vehicle.'' Otherwise, ``She was fine,'' he said. ``No problems other than trying to maneuver her into the vehicle and get her out.''
Pinky is being held ``in an area large enough to meet her needs without her being locked up,'' Carey said. ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
PINKY STARLIGHT UPDATE: The exiled potbellied pig was taken into
custody Friday.
by CNB