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Indy woman fights to keep pet pig at her West Side house

Indy woman fights to keep her pet pig at home
Indy woman fights to keep her pet pig at home
Posted at 8:12 PM, Nov 23, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-24 09:57:48-05

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis woman is fighting to keep her pet pig, Jackson, at her West Side home.

Kathleen Roberts had no idea when Jackson became part of her family four years ago that owning a pig at her West Side home was illegal. Roberts said she didn't find out until August when she received a notice from animal control.

"They gave me two options. I needed to move or re-home him within three weeks or they would send out an impound order," Roberts said. "I said, 'Well, I need another option.'"

Animal control sent RTV6 the ordinance dealing with pigs. The law says it is illegal to keep swine in the city and county unless it is a stockyard or slaughterhouse that is zoned to allow raising livestock.

Roberts said she is fighting not only to keep Jackson as a pet, but also to update the ordinance that she said is out-of-date. She said the ordinance should be updated so other people in the same situation can keep their pets as well.

"I want an exception — he is not hurting anyone," Roberts said. "I agree with the ordinance. You shouldn't have a hog farm in the middle of Indianapolis. You shouldn't. That's what it's there for. It's outdated in the sense that these are pets now. A lot of people have them."

Roberts was told she'd need to take the matter up with the zoning board. She's also brought it to the attention of her city-county councilor.

Roberts has a court date in January in her continuing effort to keep Jackson.

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