NC city council unmoved on potbellied pig as pet

FAYETTEVILLE — A North Carolina family who wanted to keep a potbellied pig they said comforts their autistic son has failed to squeeze an exception out of city officials.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Wednesday that the city council deadlocked on a proposal that would have allowed Loopey to return from a ranch to its home in a city subdivision. The council considered giving the city manager authority to grant exemptions to the hog ban under conditions that included a doctor’s note saying the animal was needed to help treat a medical ailment.

Lisa Pia and Bobby Tibbetts say the pig is therapeutic for their autistic 8-year-old son.

Councilwoman Val Applewhite said resident hogs might hurt property values and generate bad odors.

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