Jennifer San Fillippo and her pet potbellied pig, Yoda, got a reprieve in the spring after a neighbor ratted her out to Palm Beach County code enforcement officials.
Palm Beach County is considering lifting its ban on homeowners keeping potbellied pigs as pets. (Palm Beach Post file photo.)
She could keep the pig, technically a violation of zoning rules, while the County Commission decided whether to keep or rescind its ban on such pets.
The commission was scheduled to make its decision on Tuesday, but the vote has been delayed because some commissioners could not be present. Chairwoman Shelley Vana said she wants to lift the ban during a three-year trial period. “I don’t know that they are really much different than big dogs, except they don’t bark,” she said.
Homeowner associations still would be able to ban the pigs, just as they are able to regulate other pets.
The current ban applies to unincorporated parts of the county, such as suburban Delray Beach, where Ms. San Fillippo lives. Some cities, such as Jupiter, already allow the pigs as pets.
Some people have said that the potbellied pigs are different from dogs because they stink. Owners dispute that, and many keep the animals inside their homes.
What do you think? Should Palm Beach County allow potbellied pigs as pets? Take our poll and/or leave a comment.
You can read The Post’s story on this issue here.
