Tehachapi News
They’re all swine, according to a local ordinance
They’re all swine, according to a local ordinance
By: Carin Enovijas, Tehachapi News Editor
Description: Romeo is an ‘exotic pet, not a bacon or pork chop pig’
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Posted by editor Wed Nov 30, -0001 00:00:00 PST
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0 responses 0 comments Golden Hills resident Kitrina Hatala, the owner of a “semi-famous” Vietnamese potbellied pig, asked the Tehachapi City Council to consider establishing a variance to a local ordinance that prohibits livestock, “swine” included, from being kept as pets inside the city limits.
“Ordinance 18.04.378 places all swine in the category of livestock. The definition of livestock is an animal kept for use, slaughter, or sale. Romeo is none of those. He is a companion animal. He is strictly a pet,” stated Hatala in a letter to the council.
Hatala told the council that Romeo is not a “bacon pig or a pork chop pig,” and that she wants to be able to relocate into the city, where she and her four-legged Romeo hope to legally enjoy walks in the park and around downtown.
“Romeo weighs 75 to 80 pounds and stands 19 inches in height. This is smaller than many dogs. He is very clean and does not smell. He is house trained, does tricks and walks on a leash. He does not bark, bite or howl and is better behaved than most dogs,” continued Hatala.
Locals may remember Romeo from a 2003 feature article in the Tehachapi News and his frequent public appearances at local schools, festivals and parades. He was also featured twice on Animal Planet’s “Pet Star” in 2003, where he performed an interpretive dance routine, consisting of spinning and doing figure eights around his owner’s legs.
“He is called Romeo because of his flirtatious attitude toward the ladies. He bats his eyelashes and gives them kisses as he snorts at any man who approaches,” explained the 2003 News story by Julianna Crisalli.
Fortunately for Romeo, there are two women serving on the council, although Hatala was advised not to bring him with her to the July 2 meeting for a face-toface meeting.
Councilman Stan Beckham asked questions about Romeo’s personal hygiene and reproductive health, while Councilman Phil Smith and Mayor Ed Grimes agreed, “That’s a new one.”
The council directed staff to present some options for them to consider how to handle Romeo’s predicament at a future meeting.
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