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• <br />ANALYSIS <br />At the June 3 workshop there was a consensus that, in the interest of equity and fairness, a pet pig that <br />existed in a residential area prior to the Code clarification should be allowed to stay for the duration of <br />the pig's lifetime (12 to 20 years). However, that allowance should be conditioned upon the pig's owner <br />taking specific actions to minimize nuisance impacts to neighbors. <br />Attendees of the workshop considered the following issues: <br />• Size of the pig (e.g., no larger than 150 lbs.) <br />• Location of the pig (e.g., indoors, outdoors, duration outdoors, setback from property lines) <br />• Visual buffers from neighbors (fences, vegetation) <br />• Sanitary control (concerns of potential odor, flies) <br />Regarding pig size, the consensus at the workshop was that it would be unfair and potentially inhumane <br />to make pig size a condition of whether it could stay. The concern was that there was no size limit prior <br />to the Code clarification, and a weight limit might promote a severe diet or starving of a pig to meet a <br />weight limit, which would be inhumane. <br />Regarding location of where a pig is kept, the consensus was that pigs should be restrained or fenced <br />such that they could not root or roam along neighbor property lines. Also, there should be visual buffers <br />(e.g., privacy fences and/ or heavy vegetation) for the neighbors' sake. There was also discussion that, on <br />lots smaller than %z acre, there would be a particular need for six-foot privacy fencing, whereas such <br />fencing may not be necessary on lots % acre or larger. <br />On the issue of sanitary control, there were different opinions expressed on whether there is a sanitation <br />concern beyond what is normally associated with other pets such as dogs. The conclusion was to <br />recommend that a landowner be required to keep sanitary conditions to alleviate potential odor and/or <br />flies. <br />It was also the consensus that any pigs grandfathered and allowed to stay should be registered with <br />Animal Control, sterilized, and vaccinated. Moreover, it was suggested that a microchip could be <br />implanted under the pig's skin by Animal Control, which would allow tracking of the pig to ensure it is <br />not replaced or move to another location in violation of the grandfathering clause. <br />RECOAE%IENDATION <br />Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners establish a policy to allow pet pigs in <br />residential areas in cases where the pigs were kept as pets prior to May 1998, but only under the <br />following conditions: <br />1. The pet pig owner must provide evidence that the pet pig was kept at a subject residence prior to <br />May 1998. <br />2. The pet pig must be registered with Animal Control, sterilized, and vaccinated on a current basis. <br />Moreover, the pig owner must pay to have a microchip installed on the pig for Animal Control <br />tracking/record keeping purposes. <br />3. The area where the pet pig is allowed to roam outdoors must be cordoned off to prevent the pig from <br />accessing within ten feet of a property line. <br />4. The outdoor location where the pig is allowed to roam must be completely screened from <br />neighboring property by a fence and /or vegetation. On lots less than %z acre in size, a six-foot <br />privacy is required for screening. <br />5. The outdoor location where the pig is allowed to roam must be kept sanitary to alleviate potential <br />odors and infestation of flies. <br />ATTACHED <br />1. Minutes excerpt of the April 6, 1999 BCC meeting <br />2. (Unapproved) minutes of the June 3, 1999 pig workshop. <br />SEPTEMBER 7,1999 <br />87 <br />• <br />