THE JOY AND TRAGEDY OF POTBELLIED PIGS

        Humans appear to have a fascination for small animals that can be held in the palm of one's hand and so potbellied pigs were introduced into the United States in 1985 and promoted as the perfect house pet.  Correctly, it was claimed that they were easier to house train than dogs and did not carry fleas but, in the interests of sales, essential information was omitted.

The average 'tiny tea-cup pig' weighs 80kg pounds on reaching adulthood so it was not long before they were abandoned, much like puppies purchased on a whim at Christmas time. They can also become extremely aggressive and, following their natural instincts, root up carpets as well as your garden. This craze has now reached South Africa and is already creating a problem for animal welfare societies country-wide who have to deal with the consequences of  their being dumped as they reach adulthood.  

            It does rather seem as if the new about-to-be promulgated animal by-laws do not make specific provision for pot-bellied pigs as pets regarding their limitation per household, as is the case with cats and dogs, leading to unintended consequences. A question directed to Mr. Alan Perrins, CEO of the SPCA, regarding whether these would fall under the classification of farm animals or pets, elicited the brief response: 'semantics.'

 According to Cora Bailey of Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) they have been dealing with this problem in Gauteng for some time.  People are dumping their formerly cosseted 'tiny teacup pigs' in townships, to be slaughtered in whichever way people see fit. 

Clearly there is a serious gap in the by-law here.