Man Vows to Keep His Pot-Bellied Pigs by His Side
Mike Downey is a devoted pet owner to his two beloved pot-bellied pigs and nothing is going to keep them apart, not even the City of Victoria.
The B.C. man has been the proud parent of his two pigs for three years with no problems until an Animal Control Officer spotted him walking them down a city street.
Shortly after that, he was served notice that he must find a new home for his two beloved animals within three and a half weeks. According to city bylaws, farm animals cannot be kept within city limits.
Downey was devastated. "They're like my kids so if they're being relocated then I'm going to be relocated too,” he told CBC in a recent interview.
He said that his pigs were loved by everyone and that he’d never heard a complaint about his pot-bellied friends.
"We have daycare program up the street...and they all come to come feed the pigs, for little visits, and everybody's happy,’ he said.
But home insurance can offer protection if there are pet-related injuries or damage. Owners are urged to contact their insurer to determine how best to ensure they are covered.
Downey stated that he spent $7,000 and four months renovating his house to accommodate his pets: building in hardwood floors, a sleeping area, gates and a pen for them so they could be comfortable and safe.
Either way, he’s not prepared to give up without a fight.
Downey is working with Animal Justice, a non-profit animal rights group in Victoria, to change the bylaw that prohibits people from keeping farm animals within city limits.
"Pot-bellied pigs have never been an agricultural animal on farms, so why would we consider them a food item?”
He has decided that if he can’t keep his pigs with him in the city, he’ll move and live elsewhere.
"I'll build a sanctuary if I'm forced out of the city. That's how I roll," he said. "I'm staying with my kids.”
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