In defense of pigs

From Eyewitness News:

They're not your usual family pet, but a growing number of families are choosing to have pigs as pets.

But now New York City is cracking down.

The city health department says they are simply enforcing the law and a state senator who lives around here asks why then things have been different for the mayor.

"It begs the question where was this enforcement when there was a pet pig in Gracie Mansion the mayor's daughter brought in? Where was that same enforcement," asks Tony Avella.

He wants the law revisited, and promises the city has bigger fish to fry.

From CBS New York:

WCBS 880′s Alex Silverman first spoke with disabled Navy veteran Nadine Darsanlal last month about her pet pig named Wilbur.

At the time, Wilbur was a therapy pig in training, being taught how to help others.

“I’ve had no issues legally, no,” Darsanlal told Silverman.

But she said in the past month she has faced “complete harassment.” Darsanlal said someone complained about Wilbur.

“The pig has not bothered them, hasn’t hurt anybody,” she told Silverman.

The Health Department served her a notice.

“I have to have him certified in Suffolk to live there in order for me to have him as my pet,” Darsanlal said.

“As of now, Wilbur lives in Suffolk until further notice. He’s registered under Suffolk with his microchips, so he’s technically ok,” Darsanlal told 1010 WINS’ Mona Rivera.

That's some pig!

From the Times Ledger:

Nadine Darsanlal’s life was never the same after she teamed up with her service dog Harvey three years ago, and now she is trying to help others discover the therapeutic power of animals by training her second pet — a clever micro pig named Wilbur.

Darsanlal found Harvey after serving in the U.S. Navy from 1997-2001. After she got out she contracted an illness that left her partially disabled, she said. The College Point resident had trouble bending down to pick objects off the ground and getting out of bed in the morning due to chronic pain, but found relief after her application for a service dog was accepted by an organization called Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, which partnered her with the pooch. Harvey picks up objects, turns on lights, puts on shoes and generally lifts up her spirits.

About a year and a half ago, Darsanlal decided to purchase a pig as a playmate for Harvey, she said. When the tiny porker arrived at their home, he became fast friends with his canine co-habitant and had a great personality. That is when she decided to train Wilbur to become a therapy pet, using her knowledge of training Harvey.

The sow can shake hands, sit and perform all manner of tricks. If the word “apple juice” is spoken, even from 20 yards away, it will come running.

Darsanlal has taken the duo to area schools, including the Renaissance Charter School in Jackson Heights. The principal there declared Harvey and Wilbur well-behaved and “a delight” for both students and teachers.

But it might be difficult for Wilbur to be recognized as a therapy animal in New York City.