Augusta supervisors reject companion pigs in residential zoning

VERONA – There will not be companion pigs in residential districts in Augusta County.

During its June 27 meeting, the Augusta County Board of Supervisors considered two different but related ordinance amendments adding permission to have up to two companion pigs. About an hour into the meeting , Supervisor Butch Wells moved the board accept the first of two ordinances.

“I can think of three or four dogs in my neighborhood that maybe I would want a companion pig in the house next to me rather than some of these dogs," said Wells. "I’ve seen some of these dogs be really vicious. I can’t imagine a companion pig being as vicious as some of these dogs."

Planning Commission recommended denial

The county considered this topic after residents complained about a companion pig living in their neighborhood.

The Augusta County Planning Commission voted six to one against recommending companion pigs be added to the county code . Unlike the supervisors public hearing, where no one gave public comment, a couple owning a companion pig spoke at the planning meeting.

“When people think of domestic pigs, they often envision large animals weighing between 300-700 pounds,” said Nat Carroll. “These massive creatures are indeed challenging to accommodate in an everyday home setting. In stark contrast, minipigs are significantly smaller. Our minipig, Circe, weighs roughly 125 pounds and has always lived comfortably indoors with us, becoming a beloved member of our family.”

Supervisor Carolyn Bragg serves on both the board of supervisors and planning commission. After Wells' motion, she repeated the argument she used to vote against recommending the ordinance during the Planning Commission hearing.

“The neighbors were opposed to the four-legged resident, so not everybody that is in a residential area necessarily is in favor of this change,” Bragg said. “With Augusta County, 94% roughly is ag community where these animals are allowed. USDA still considers them as livestock. I think when you move into a residential [neighborhood], there are some expectations, and I really don’t think this is one of them.”

Supervisors looked for more information online

Several of the supervisors said they went beyond the ordinance packet to find information on the pigs.

“I’ve been reading a lot on the Internet about companion pigs,” said Butch Wells. “It’s fascinating and ironic to see the comparisons that a lot of vets make between dogs and these companion pigs as far as their training and their response to their owners.”

“I too have done a lot of looking on research on Facebook. I mean, not Facebook, on Googling and have learned a lot about pigs,” Bragg said. “There some of these that we have actually grow, the males, can grow up to 200 pounds. They’re not all little things.”

Bragg said “they get bored very easily” and spend a lot of time rooting. The ordinance would require them to be an inside pet.

“This is not an inside animal. It’s intended to be outside, so I’m not supportive of this change,” Bragg said.

“I’d just like to add about everything that she just discussed, I read the same thing about dogs,” Wells responded. We had hunting dogs that would root, get under the fence and be gone or jump the fence and be gone. They’re very similar.”

Companion pigs, Supervisor Scott Seaton said, “are indoor animals.” He felt the board should only set limits governing “noise, pollution, odor, light, and particulate matter, rather than what kind of animal residents can have.

“I’ve heard a lot more complaints over the last four years about dogs barking, and we can’t do diddly about dogs barking,” Seaton said. “I doubt we’ll ever have a loud enough pig, that is a minipig, that can squeal that loud or that long.”

Supervisors reject the ordinance amendment

Seaton seconded Well’s motion, asking “why do I have to get permission from the government to use my own property?”

Well’s motion was defeated five to two, with Wells and Seaton voting in favor of the companion pigs.

Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It’s welcome through email to lbordelon@gannett.com . Subscribe to us at newsleader.com .

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Augusta supervisors reject companion pigs in residential zoning