CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- The Chesterfield Planning Commission voted 3-2 Tuesday night to reject a Brandermill family's request to keep their pet pig, Tucker.
Tucker is a 150 lb. KuneKune pig who has lived with the family for around two years now. The Johnson family has requested a conditional use permit to keep the pig because their neighborhood is not zoned for what the county considers livestock.
On Tuesday night over a dozen people spoke to the Planning Commission regarding Tucker's case. Many were in favor of the pig staying and said he's become a part of the community.
"We all embrace Tucker," said one neighbor, "I have three children that I feel comfortable with them going down there anytime."
However, others expressed their concerns with Tucker and said they were worried with what kind of precedent this would set and fear it would bring their property value down.
"I don't think any large animal belongs in a residential neighborhood and that includes dogs," said another neighbor.
It's now up to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors for a final vote. However, the Planning Commission will recommend that they do not approve the conditional use permit request.
Still, Tucker's owner, Mark Johnson said this fight isn't over.
"We will continue to do outreach with Tucker because he has a great story to share," said Johnson.
“Our whole thing is he is a pet, just like someone’s dog,” Kim Johnson argued.
Johnson said the 150-pound pig he is an “indoor pet” and that she was able to get him house broken in just three days. In fact, she said the pig “doesn’t have any house out back that he stays in.”
