Lafayette residents are one step closer to being allowed to own two miniature pot-bellied pigs after Lafayette City Council approved increasing the amount on first reading Tuesday night.
Council approved the ordinance 5-1 with Councilmember Tim Barnes opposing and Councilmember Tonya Briggs recused herself due to a conflict of interest.
Currently, residents can only own one miniature Vietnamese, Chinese, or Asian pot-bellied pig that does not exceed 22 inches inches in height at the shoulders and does not exceed 100 pounds. Council agreed to increase the weight limit to 150 pounds.
“I don’t want people to end up with a pet they love and and falls out of the weight limit,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Stephanie Walton.
Barnes said he doesn’t believe the city should restrict the weight.
“I have to add to the question whether we should restrict the weight simply because there’s an average of the species,” Barnes said. “From what I understand, they are so dense it’s a challenge to be able to tell the weight of a pig by looking at it.”
Council requested for staff to return with more information about the American pot-bellied breeds regarding heights and weights and what the most common breed is that people own.
According to the ordinance, allowing residents to have two of the animals will allow companionship and interaction with others, help the pigs learn positive behavior and mannerisms, and the animals would be less likely to show aggressive behavior toward people.
According to a Jan. 7 presentation to the Council, Superior allows residents to have a maximum of three miniature pot-bellied pigs with no maximum weight limit and Longmont currently allows for two and must be less than 95 pounds.
A second reading could occur during the Feb. 4 meeting.
