VICTORIA – National animal law non-profit Animal Justice Canada Legislative Fund says the City of Victoria, British Columbia has no authority to remove potbelly pigs from family homes.
Long-time Vic West resident Mike Downey lives with two potbelly pigs, Athena and Vishnu, whom he considers part of the family. Acting on a bylaw that prohibits keeping farm animals in the City of Victoria, city officials have given Mr. Downey until September 30 to get the animals out of his home.
“Municipal bylaws prohibit keeping animals ‘normally raised for food’ in the City of Victoria, but whether an animal is eaten or cherished is a complex cultural question,” said Anna Pippus, director of farmed animal advocacy with Animal Justice.
“Cows, dogs, rabbits, chickens, and pigs can all be considered friend or food depending on whom you ask. City officials cannot rely on a bylaw that prohibits keeping animals raised for food to remove animals from family homes.”
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Animal Justice’s letter to the City of Victoria can be read here.
Correspondence between Mr. Downey and the City of Victoria can be read here.
For more information, contact:
Anna Pippus
Director of Farmed Animal Advocacy
