Prevent The Removal of Atticus, Our Beloved Family Member
Prevent The Removal of Atticus, Our Beloved Family Member
The Issue
Atticus's Story:
Atticus is a rescued mini pig who came to live with my family over 2 1/2 years ago when he was just a small piglet. He fit right in and quickly found his place in our pack. His human and animal brothers and sisters love him immensely and he brings so much love and laughter into our lives.
Atticus lives with my family inside of our house and goes in and out as he pleases. Atticus has his own cozy place to sleep in my bedroom. He puts himself to bed in the evening when he is tired. He knows how to sit and roll over to get belly rubs. His favorite treats are fruit, veggies, yogurt, and peanut butter. Atticus likes to snuggle and give snout kisses. He enjoys playing with toys and playing tug of war with his doggy sisters. He is a very clean animal. He uses the bathroom outside and the yard is scooped and cleaned daily to remain free of waste. Atticus enjoys naps in the shade and rooting in my fenced in yard when outside.
My family has lived quietly and peacefully together in my home in Chesterfield County, Virginia until recently. In March of 2024 a zoning enforcer came to my door to tell me I had to remove my pig from the property that I own, because I was not zoned agriculture and he is considered livestock, which is not allowed in an area zoned residential. There are areas zoned agriculture roughly 650 feet from our property. I explained to her that he is not livestock. He is our pet, our FAMILY MEMBER, and he lives inside the house. He is not being used for any commercial or financial reasons. He is not being used for labor or products. He is however being used for emotional support, as a best friend, as a snuggle buddy, as a playmate, and sometimes even as a foot rest. He is a soul. He is not being used; he is being loved.
In order to have a chance to keep Atticus, Chesterfield County instructed me to apply for a conditional use permit and pay the $300 application fee. The application has been submitted and I have paid the $300; I have done as they have asked. However, they continue telling me that "staff" does not support my request.
Chesterfield County is holding on to words written down many years ago that a pig can only be seen as livestock. Pigs like Atticus make wonderful domestic pets. Even though pigs are highly intelligent and ranked the 4th smartest animal in the world, Chesterfield County still only deems them as useful for commercial or financial reasons. Pigs have similar cognitive abilities to young children. They experience a wide range of emotions and form strong relationships. According to pbs.org, "Pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal. Their ability to solve problems, like the pig I.Q. test on The Joy of Pigs, is well-documented, and they are considered by animal experts to be more trainable than dogs or cats."
The county has thrown my quiet family into turmoil and has caused an indescribable amount of heartache, pain, and anxiety over the possibility that our family will be ripped apart and our emotional support animal will be forced to leave. I cannot let Atticus and my family suffer.
I am the protector of my family and I refuse to let my boy be taken from his home and his family. He is NOT an object. He is a kind and gentle soul and a friend to all. He is an emotional support animal for me and my family.
I have a hard time asking for help, but I desperately need the support from the community. I need your signature to help show the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors that it is unfair and unjust to rip Atticus from his home and his family. It would be devastating and cruel to do this to him and his family. Please sign and help me keep my baby boy at home.
1,198
The Issue
Atticus's Story:
Atticus is a rescued mini pig who came to live with my family over 2 1/2 years ago when he was just a small piglet. He fit right in and quickly found his place in our pack. His human and animal brothers and sisters love him immensely and he brings so much love and laughter into our lives.
Atticus lives with my family inside of our house and goes in and out as he pleases. Atticus has his own cozy place to sleep in my bedroom. He puts himself to bed in the evening when he is tired. He knows how to sit and roll over to get belly rubs. His favorite treats are fruit, veggies, yogurt, and peanut butter. Atticus likes to snuggle and give snout kisses. He enjoys playing with toys and playing tug of war with his doggy sisters. He is a very clean animal. He uses the bathroom outside and the yard is scooped and cleaned daily to remain free of waste. Atticus enjoys naps in the shade and rooting in my fenced in yard when outside.
My family has lived quietly and peacefully together in my home in Chesterfield County, Virginia until recently. In March of 2024 a zoning enforcer came to my door to tell me I had to remove my pig from the property that I own, because I was not zoned agriculture and he is considered livestock, which is not allowed in an area zoned residential. There are areas zoned agriculture roughly 650 feet from our property. I explained to her that he is not livestock. He is our pet, our FAMILY MEMBER, and he lives inside the house. He is not being used for any commercial or financial reasons. He is not being used for labor or products. He is however being used for emotional support, as a best friend, as a snuggle buddy, as a playmate, and sometimes even as a foot rest. He is a soul. He is not being used; he is being loved.
In order to have a chance to keep Atticus, Chesterfield County instructed me to apply for a conditional use permit and pay the $300 application fee. The application has been submitted and I have paid the $300; I have done as they have asked. However, they continue telling me that "staff" does not support my request.
Chesterfield County is holding on to words written down many years ago that a pig can only be seen as livestock. Pigs like Atticus make wonderful domestic pets. Even though pigs are highly intelligent and ranked the 4th smartest animal in the world, Chesterfield County still only deems them as useful for commercial or financial reasons. Pigs have similar cognitive abilities to young children. They experience a wide range of emotions and form strong relationships. According to pbs.org, "Pigs are smarter than any other domestic animal. Their ability to solve problems, like the pig I.Q. test on The Joy of Pigs, is well-documented, and they are considered by animal experts to be more trainable than dogs or cats."
The county has thrown my quiet family into turmoil and has caused an indescribable amount of heartache, pain, and anxiety over the possibility that our family will be ripped apart and our emotional support animal will be forced to leave. I cannot let Atticus and my family suffer.
I am the protector of my family and I refuse to let my boy be taken from his home and his family. He is NOT an object. He is a kind and gentle soul and a friend to all. He is an emotional support animal for me and my family.
I have a hard time asking for help, but I desperately need the support from the community. I need your signature to help show the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors that it is unfair and unjust to rip Atticus from his home and his family. It would be devastating and cruel to do this to him and his family. Please sign and help me keep my baby boy at home.
1,198
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Petition created on June 29, 2024