City council will begin studying a proposed ordinance which would allow the keeping of potbellied pigs as pets and expects to fully discuss the matter at its November 17 meeting.

While the matter was not on this evening's council agenda, City Manager Joseph Scherer did present members of the panel a memo entitled Draft Domestic Swine Information.

“In light of the recent discussions regarding the suitability of domesticated swine as residential pets in the city, I've directed the police chief to research how other cities who do allow such animals regulate their presence,” the memo said. “He has compiled an extensive list of information from cities and counties around the state on how they do so.”

Attached to the memo is a draft ordinance “we have prepared as a discussion tool if you wish to further consider the allowance of this type of animal in the city.”

Councilman Wayne Smith asked whether the matter could be discussed during this evening's meeting. “People in Roanoke Rapids ought to know what to expect, whether we're going to allow or not allow.”

Because the agenda had already been adopted at the beginning of the meeting, City Attorney Gilbert Chichester said the matter should be put on an agenda for another meeting.

Scherer said following the meeting the proposed ordinance will allow the keeping of domesticated swine within the city limits. The draft is a model of other city ordinances from around the state. “It's part of the discussion.”

The draft ordinance would allow the keeping of one Vietnamese potbellied pig or similar registered purebred miniature potbellied pig in any household as long as the animal does not exceed 100 pounds.

They are to be kept in a restrained area at all times and shall not be permitted to run at large. No breeding would be allowed in the draft ordinance.

The draft also calls for a person wishing to keep and maintain a pig within the city limits to fill out an application form along with a registration fee of $25.

The draft calls for routine vaccinations and the removal of tusks by a veterinarian if one grows them.

The draft also deals with specific issues regarding outside confinement, sanitation and similar issues.

The issue was brought before council earlier this month after an inquiry was made on whether the city allowed swine within its limits.

On its Facebook page, the police department posted it received several complaints about pet pigs in the city. The current ordinance specifically states no person can keep swine within the city limits or 100 yards outside the city limits and it makes no distinction between swine kept as livestock or domesticated pet pigs.