Debbie Buff of Festus is worried she’ll be forced to give up her beloved pet pig, Princess Pickles, after receiving notice from Festus officials that keeping the animal violates the city’s ordinances.
Buff, 44, said her 1-year-old mini potbellied pig is a companion animal who has helped her through a traumatic year after the death of her 24-year-old son, Brandon Diel.
“I had my psychiatrist register her as an emotional support pig,” she said. “She’s there to comfort. She provides emotional support for myself and my son (Aiden Perry, 13).”
However, Festus officials say keeping the pig violates ordinances that prohibit exotic animals, wildlife or livestock.
Buff, who lives on North Ninth Street, said Princess Pickles is not livestock, but instead is a smart, well-trained pet.
“She knows basic commands, such as sit, stay, spin, but her training is more advanced as she’s being trained to be a therapy pet,” Buff said.
Buff is urging city officials to let her keep Princess Pickles.
At the July 22 Festus City Council meeting, Buff said she was unaware pet pigs were not allowed in Festus before receiving the notice from the city.
She said she was surprised the city had no provision in city ordinances for pet pigs, since many communities allow them.
Festus City Administrator Greg Camp said council members directed him to look into the matter.
“After her presentation, they asked me to do a little research,” Camp said. “There are other cities that have this (allow pet pigs). They have conditions over size and the number they can have. There are conditions on their weights.”
Mayor Sam Richards also said city officials are taking Buff’s request under advisement.
“The City Council and myself and the city administrator are reviewing our ordinances and deciding what action we’re going to take,” Richards said.
Buff has an online petition titled “Keeping Princess Pickles the Mini Pig in Her Home with Her Family” on change.org and hopes to gather at least 5,000 signatures. As of Aug. 30, more than 3,342 people had signed it.
She said at least one of those who signed the petition is a neighbor.
Buff said she has lived in Festus for more than a decade and rescued Princess Pickles about a year ago
“We got her last August – she was a baby when we got her,” Buff said. “She came from a breeder. Someone bought her. They had her for a couple of days and got rid of her.”
Buff said while her pet pig provides comfort to her family, she also wanted to rescue the animal from a possible bleak future.
“I like pigs and I love animals and she needed a home,” Buff said. “So, we gave her one.”
Buff and her son said Princess Pickles quickly became a valued member of their family.
“I never had a pig before,” Buff said. “She trains easy. They’re smarter than dogs. She’s trained to go outside to go potty.
“It’s a lot neater than a dog, a little more fun. She’s quiet other than feeding time.”
Buff said Princess Pickles mainly eats a pellet-like pig food. However, fruits and vegetables are her favorite.
“She loves bell peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, watermelon and blueberries,” Buff said.
She said her pig gets along well with the family’s other pets.
“We have two cats, Fatty Cat and Baby Kitty, who both are about 5,” Buff said. “She gets along great with them. We also have a bearded dragon lizard, Nova, but he stays in his tank.”
Buff said her son, Aiden, who has special needs, also needs Princess Pickles.
Aiden said the pet pig is affectionate.
“I have fun with Princess Pickles,” he said. “Sometimes, she’ll jump up on the couch with me.”
Buff said her pig was around 25 to 30 pounds when she adopted her and is now an estimated 80 to 100 pounds.
“Mini pigs can get anywhere from 50 pounds to 300 pounds,” she said.
Buff said caring for Princess Pickles is the same as tending to other types of pets.
“It’s a lot like having a dog, but I think it’s better than having a dog,” she said. “She doesn’t bark or get out and run loose. She doesn’t bite or hurt anyone.”
Buff said all she can do now is wait to see what the City Council decides to do.
“I’m really hoping they change the ordinance,” she said. “They passed an ordinance (to allow) chickens, and pigs are a lot cleaner. They (city officials) were nice, so it seemed hopeful.”