Smith said there are questions about how animal control would monitor the weight requirement of 100 pounds, monitor sanitary conditions of outdoor pens, prohibit breeding and monitor vaccination records of the animals, all requirements in the proposed ordinance revision.
“It all boils down to responsible pet ownership,” Hasty said.
While Smith was adamant on his stance, Councilman Carl Ferebee said he believed the matter should be explored further before taking a vote. “I don't disagree with Councilman Smith,” he said, explaining, however, the proposed revision “was not written precisely in my opinion. It's too wide open.”
Councilwoman Carol Cowen said she believed the proposal was “very vague.”
City Attorney Gilbert Chichester advised the panel it could table the matter.
Mayor Emery Doughtie said he has visited S&L Pet Shop on Roanoke Avenue, the business Harrell and her husband, Lee, own. “The business is attractively displayed. It looks like a business looking to become successful.”
Doughtie said council could very well be speaking on dogs and cats instead of pigs.
Smith said, however, if the issue isn't pigs, “It's going to be something else.”
Harrell, who spoke during a comment section of the meeting before the issue was discussed, said many customers have been inquiring about what the city was going to do. “There's a lot of concern about what will be allowed.”
Harrell said her pet store only planned on carrying the pet pigs a couple times of year. “There would be screening. If someone purchased a pig we would have a personal file. We would have ways of helping the police department. We're just here to help everyone. We're not here to hurt anyone.”
Harrell said after the vote she was going to fight the matter. “They didn't allow us to get back and answer their questions.”
Harrell said pigs are cleaner than dogs and cats. She said she believed the mayor and Ferebee were on her side.
She said the store has been getting 15 to 20 calls a day on the matter.
While not being allowed to sell pigs won't hurt the business, “It will hurt the people who want one,” she said.
Harrell said she believes the vote was reflective of a city government which does not want to see change. “Change means everything.”
She agreed there needed to be more revisions to the ordinance. “We are happy to work with the city the best we can.”
Now Harrell plans to start a petition at her store to gage the public's interest in seeing the ordinance revised. “They can be walked on a leash, they are litter box trained and you can teach them to do tricks. They're smarter than dogs.”
Smith said afterward he doesn't believe pigs should be allowed in the city limits, especially because of sanitary reasons. “There's a big difference in having animals like dogs and cats.”
Smith right now he sees no reasons for compromise on the matter. “There may be some wiggle room later.”
