A pot-bellied pig like Eli isn’t the pet for everyone, says his owner Michelle Kropp, but he fits in with their family perfectly. But on Monday a Sherwood Park court ruled he has to go because of a town bylaw prohibiting livestock. The family contends Eli is a pet and a therapy animal, not livestock.
Kropp made sure she got approval from a bylaw official in the county before buying a house in Sherwood Park and Eli had been living there for years without incident before a neighbour notified bylaw officials about him in March. Kropp will have to pay a $100 fine and find somewhere else for Eli to live. She worries he won’t make it in a new home since the pig, who was rescued as a piglet four years ago, has never lived outside and is most comfortable under a blanket by the fire.
Eli has a special bond with Kropp’s oldest daughter and sleeps in her room most nights. They plan to keep him at least until Christmas, though Kropp says she doesn’t have the heart to talk to her daughters about the future past then. A change.org petition calling on Strathcona County Mayor Roxanne Carr to allow the family to keep the pig has over 15,000 signatures and the Save Eli the Pig Facebook page has 1,700 supporters.
Michelle Kropp sits with her daughters Jayme Granberg, 11, left and Maggie Granberg, 8, as Eli looks for a comfy spot.
Eli is fed a tomato.
Snuffling at the dirty dishes while the family dog Reese looks on.
Waiting for a treat.
Eli takes a minute at the top of the stairs after hanging out with the girls.
Eli makes noise to get in after a brief break in his family's yard.
More treat snuffling.
Maggie Granberg does her homework with Eli.
Getting cozy with a blanket by the fire.
Maggie Granberg hangs out in her room.
Jayme Granberg, 11, cuddles with her pet pot-bellied pig Eli after school.