We have compiled a list of letters ranging from Vetenarians, Governers, The Department of Agriculture and personal letters stating facts and opinions of why the Pot Bellied Pig is a Pet. You will find everything from classifications of an pet pig as compared to a normal "Livestock" pig (even though we here at pet pig zone love them just as much!)
We also have information about how the state taxes the pet pig food you purchase, furthermore proving that they are a "Pet"
And to start things off here is a letter from Rebecca Dinolfi:
To the Potbellied Pig community:
At this time I feel a very urgent need to address a reoccurring situation about the scare tactics that animal control and zoning officers are using all over this country to make people panic and dispose of their Pet Pig without a hearing.
It has come to my attention in the last couple of months, because of the large overload of zoning cases I have been getting that these cases are very similar in one respect. That is this, these case's either do not have any paper work involved such as a summons or the families are given anywhere from 24 hrs to one week to remove their pet pig from their homes. If they don't comply in that amount of time, they are told that they will be fined up to $500.00 or as much as $40.00 a day in some cases.
This is just a way to scare people into getting rid of their pet pig as fast as they can. What most of these people do not realize is they have a right to their day in court. No matter what anyone tells you. Or in these cases a right to appear in front of the zoning board to present their case. The first thing you must do in a case like this is contact the Municipality immediately and notify them that you are going to fight this and ask what you need to do to start your defense.
When you do, it puts everything on hold until you have your hearing. Even the fines! The next thing you do is get all the information you can get your hands on that the Potbellied pig is a "Pet" to do your presentation at your hearing. Get as many people as you can to appear with you to testify on your behalf and the behalf of your pet. I would also like to say here too that if the first time they don't let you keep your pig you have appeals you can use. It is never over until it is over. I have won many cases (almost every one!) so don't give up!
Be professional and persistent
I have gotten a lot of cases were the families of the Potbellied Pig are given only a few days to dispose of their pig. Yes you heard me, Dispose of their pet pig like it is piece of garbage. First of all in a lot of these cases there isn't even any paperwork given to the family. This means that the municipality wherever it might be located is not following Due Process of the law and is defiantly in default and this can be used as a legal loop hole in that case They must follow Due Process or the case can and, has in some cases been thrown out of court.
What seems to happen is this.
Because of the very limited education these Municipalities have about the Potbellied Pig as a pet ,these Municipalities feel that a Pig is just a Pig and therefore there can never be an emotional attachment to such an animal. Wrong!
This is where they make a big mistake.
When they do find out that the person that is a care giver of a Potbellied pig is not going to be intimidated and that the person is going to stand their ground and fight to keep their pet pig things usually settle down. With the help of all the information we have available and some very good education on the subject These cases can and are in most cases won.
Not all cases. If a municipality defiantly decides no matter what we do or what proof we have that the Pet Potbellied Pig is a pet there will be no pigs in their community there is absolutely nothing that can be done.
The best bet for the person living in this community is to pick their Pet Pig up and move to a pig friendly community. This just happened in Illinois this past year, Hinsdale to be exact.
What I would like to stress here is: Please don't let any Municipality use scare tactics to make you dispose of your pet pig. If you do think that they will come and try to take your pig then you will have to use good judgement and get it to a safe place while you fight this battle. Never let your pet be in jeopardy . When your pet is safe then you can fight to bring it home again.
I am here to help all you have to do is contact me.
Rebecca DiNolfi
International Zoning Consultant
Blessings of White light Becky and my girls Reiki Master zoning consultant
Contact Rebecca DiNolfi at rdinolfi@juno.com
