EnglishLady
Veteran Expediter
Video
[video]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/9948590/Family-forced-out-of-New-York-over-pet-pig.html[/video]
Danielle Forgione, the owner of a Juliana Pig named Petey has started a petition to make pig ownership legal in New York City.
The Forgione family, who cannot bear to part with their pet, are being forced to move to Long Island or upstate New York where they would be allowed to keep the creature.
City officials say pigs are a public health risk because they cannot be vaccinated for rabies and can become aggressive, especially during their first few years.
Since 2008, there have been 89 illegal animal violations in the city although it is not known how many of those were for pigs.
Pig lovers are hoping to overturn the city's ban. They point to the case of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's daughter, Georgina, who adopted a pig from an animal shelter in New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy and brought it to Gracie Mansion on Thanksgiving Day. A spokesman for the mayor says she learned it was illegal and took it back to her home in Florida the next day.
Pig activists' strongest hope may be with New York State Senator Tony Avella, who last month held a news conference for Petey and has contacted the city health commissioner to plead the pig's case, so far to no avail.
[video]http://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/9948590/Family-forced-out-of-New-York-over-pet-pig.html[/video]
Danielle Forgione, the owner of a Juliana Pig named Petey has started a petition to make pig ownership legal in New York City.
The Forgione family, who cannot bear to part with their pet, are being forced to move to Long Island or upstate New York where they would be allowed to keep the creature.
City officials say pigs are a public health risk because they cannot be vaccinated for rabies and can become aggressive, especially during their first few years.
Since 2008, there have been 89 illegal animal violations in the city although it is not known how many of those were for pigs.
Pig lovers are hoping to overturn the city's ban. They point to the case of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's daughter, Georgina, who adopted a pig from an animal shelter in New Jersey after Superstorm Sandy and brought it to Gracie Mansion on Thanksgiving Day. A spokesman for the mayor says she learned it was illegal and took it back to her home in Florida the next day.
Pig activists' strongest hope may be with New York State Senator Tony Avella, who last month held a news conference for Petey and has contacted the city health commissioner to plead the pig's case, so far to no avail.
