Joliet Passes Ordinance to Allow Households 1 Pot-Bellied Pig

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet family’s pot-bellied pig is safe after the Joliet City Council approved an ordinance regarding the keeping of farm animals.

According to a memo filed by City Manager James Hock, the city does not have an ordinance or provision defining and regulating farm animals.

A Joliet family was recently told they would have to get rid of the pig because a neighbor complained about it and said it violated the city’s animal ordinance.

The family was sent a letter saying they had five days to get rid of the pig or else they’d be charged $750 per day for the violation.

The new ordinance defines pot-bellied pigs as a farm animal, but allows one pig per household with certain restrictions:

• The pig shall be spayed or neutered and any male pot-bellied pig must have tusks clipped and trimmed.

• Each pig shall be provided with a fenced yard a minimum of four-feet high to ensure the animal is confined when outdoors.

• No pig shall be outdoors without supervision.

• It shall be unlawful to permit any pot-bellied pig to be on any public street, sidewalk, alley or other public place unless the potbellied pig is under direct control and supervision by a competent adult and restrained by a harness and leash not longer than six feet in length.

• Excreta shall be removed from any pen, cage or yard to prevent contamination, diseases, hazards and odors.

• A pot-bellied pig shall receive yearly animal vaccinations for erysipelas and any other appropriate vaccinations from a veterinarian license by the state.

The motion passed 7-1.