need some help tracking down some info

[radfringe]

won't go into long detail - reader's digest version

our stupid neighbor is talking about getting a couple of pigs - he's under the impression he can keep them contained with chicken wire...

this gives you an idea to the level of intelligence we are dealing with..

anyways - I've been asking around town, searching the internet, checked libraries looking for regulations/laws regarding raising pigs in a back yard...

we live in Lehman PA (just outside of Wilkes-Barre) - it's rural, and there are two cattle farms about 5 miles down the road. The particular stretch of the road we live on is densely populated.. There are more than 15 houses in the immediate vicinity (within spitting range of each other)

Town council guy looked at me and said "I dunno....", ditto from the zoning board

I know in other towns there are local regulations for even 1 pig in the backyard - like getting a permit, having a hearing, having proper shelter etc. for said pig...

so here's what I'm asking -- anyone have any idea where I can find some publication regarding raising pigs in your backyard? State Ag regs look like they just cover "herds" of pigs, commerical production of pigs and the like -- nothing specifically related to one or two oinkers in someone's back yard

I did manage to find some info on nuisance laws -- parts of it pertains to "odors" (they gave an example of a dog kennel not being cleaned out on a regular basis which impacts the quality of life in a neighborhood)

and I did find some stuff on animal neglect/cruelty - like not providing adequate shelter

any hints? suggestions? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLP

[ewagner]

1. City or County

zoning regs should cover that...get in touch with the nearest local zoning administrator.....

[Robb]

6. Municipal code, too

Town clerk and/or town manager should have a copy sitting around for folks to thumb through. Ours is pretty specific about livestock in "town".

Town council members going "duh" is no big surprise... go for the clerk and manager. They get paid for this kind of stuff.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Reading your thread makes me realize just how much

I LOVE my neighbors! :hug: They're a mixed lot but none of them would ever THINK of doing something so stupid and inconsiderate. Hope you find a way to discourage him.

[brainshrub]

3. If he's going to keep them in chicken wire, I wouldn't worry about it.

Let him get the pigs. Within 2 weeks they will have escaped.

[hfojvt]

8. and if they get in my yard - they are bacon!

the big bad wolf sued the 3 little pigs and on cross exam his lawyer asked: "So you admit that you started the fire after you heard my client coming down the chimney. Do you realize that my client is an endangered species while you, yourself, are merely a walking side of ham?"

BTW - answer to OP, do not ask your elected officials. The city or county bureaucrats should know the regs, or have a book in which to look them up. Either city hall or county courthouse.

[cornermouse]

10. Ha! More like 2 hours at most.

Even when they're small, they're strong and determined. Once they get out, they'll be rooting anywhere they can go.

[brainshrub]

13. Small, strong, determined and SMART.

Once they learn that their owner is trying to prevent them from escaping, they will wait till he's not looking.

Animal husbandry is not like owning a pet. Your neighbor is an idiot if he thinks he can do this without some proper training first.

[cornermouse]

16. Yes. Pigs are at least as smart as some dogs.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. Would local ASPCA or Humane Society have any info on rules for pigs?

What about the local Sanitation and/or Health Department?

EDIT: Gee I wish I could type..

Think anyone at a local university might be willing to help?

[mcscajun]

5. When in doubt....Mother Earth News

http://www.motherearthnews.com/top_articles/1970_March_April/Ham__Bacon__Pork__Lard

[Lannes]

7. Here you go

Hope it helps

http://www.upprs.com/zoning.htm

[Shoeempress]

9. Is there a Health department for your town? They may have some regs

that are applicable. How do you get your water, city or well? That may be an issue to bring to the attention of the state Environmental organization if it is well water. Call your town clerk and ask where the town regulations are kept, are they available in that office for review? Call the local Humane society, they may be able to help with these issues as far as statutory violations. Does you town have an animal control officer? If so call him/her and ask. Good luck, it was neighbors like that which made us sell our last place, move to the country and scowl at the neighbors if they even look at us.

[Racenut20]

11. The smell is good cover

for growning weed.

[mcscajun]

12. Also check EPA for regs on manure disposal. n/t

.

[murielm99]

14. Does your county have an agricultural extension office?

They could give you some advice on how to handle this -- as soon as they stop laughing at the guy who wants to raise hogs in his back yard.

We used to raise hogs. They are wily. They will get out of any kind of containment system, and it is hard to chase them down.

[Maine-ah]

15. Pigs + Chicken wire fence = escaped, pain in the ass to catch, pigs.

[radfringe]

19. we know

we had the same problem with jerk-face and his chickens...

chickens didn't last long... one night we heard coyotes howling nearby, the next morning the chickens were missing and never to be seen again

of the neighbors we talked to regarding the pig invasion - the general consensus is to do nothing until the pigs arrive and "escape" - we are all keeping our cameras ready and the local authorities on speed dial. Meanwhile, we've all taken "snapshots" of our yards/gardens as "Before" pics, so when the pigs root around and do damage we have something as a comparison.

we already know that jerk-face doesn't take the time to research local zoning regs. He put up a fence this weekend, and was previously told by zoning officer that he needed a permit to do this. So, jerk-face ran to a lawyer, paid $1200 to the lawyer to be told that he needed a permit. Next, he starts marking out his "piss-line" on both sides of the right-of-way, but his permit is only for the left-side - zoning officer tells him the permit is only for one side of the right-of-way, and he'll need another permit for the other side. Jerk-face is going back to his lawyer, probably pay another $1200 to be told he needs a permit for the other side....

We know all this because Jerk-face was out in his yard telling a buddy all about it and we can hear him quite easily even with windows closed and tv going...

[cornermouse]

17. If all else fails, this is what I would do.

Buy a roll of LARGE size electric wire, thingies to pass the wire through, and an electric fence charger. Put it around your yard, garden, or whatever plants you value at about the pig's snout level (the part of their body which feels pain enough to make an impact on their determination), and turn it on. Then pray. A lot.

[radfringe]

18. thanks for the info

I just shot an e-mail off to the local ag extension service and asked for info on raising pigs in backyard.

my partner is going to give the county courthouse a call and ask where she can get some info on zoning regarding pigs, and regulations for back-yard pigs

we are not talking about a pot-belly pig or such that will be a cute little pet. Jerk-face intends to shoot them (himself) when they are grown and have them dressed

a further taste of what we are dealing with -- last evening he's out in his yard with a buddy. jerk face talks real loud - so it's extremely difficult NOT to overhear him. Even in the winter with windows closed you can hear him...

anyways - his buddy must have asked him a question about moving back to where ever he came from. Jerk-face says "hell no, I'm not going back there. It's full of niggers, jews, fags, homos and mud people. And they are all getting a free ride from the government. and now you got the raghead, gooks moving in - and I have to pay for it with my hard earned tax dollars....."

of course it's different when he was collecting SSI (for a back injury), WIC, food stamps, and fuel assistance....

I told my partner that this jerk must be a surgeon's dream come true - he only has two working parts - his mouth and asshole - and they are interchangable...