KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaWhat A Pig!

What A Pig!

April 8, 2005
Reported by Vince Atkinson

When a family decides to adopt a pet it's not long before it's just another member of the family. What if you found out that your pet of choice was against the law? That is the situation one Lake Charles man is facing. Keeping a pig as a pet may sound a little strange, but that is exactly what one local man is doing.

The pet pigs name is Gieselle and she is not your run of the mill farm animal. Gieselle's owner, Buck Livingston says, "She is spoiled rotten." Gieselle is a miniature Vietnamese potbellied pig. That is a special breed of swine that some folks think make great pets. Livingston says, "It's changed us a lot. We love her."

In the eyes of the law, Gieselle is no different than your average farm hog. A Lake Charles city ordinance basically prohibits pigs from living in the city limits. That means Gieselle is an outlaw. Livingston says, "I am just hoping that my City Council member and the City Attorney and everyone can hear my side of the case."

It is easy to see why at first glance some folks might have a problem with Gieselle, but Livingston says odds are she would not enjoy herself out on a farm. Livingston says, "She does not like to get dirty at all. We bought a little pool for her to play in the water, she will not get in it."

Despite Gieselle's flaws she seems to be a neighborhood favorite. Glenn Martin, Livingston's neighbor says, "My daughter loves Gieselle, my wife does, I do."

Gieselle's fate hangs in the balance as city leaders weigh their options. They say they plan to look at all sides of this issue and will take appropriate action. City officials believe they should have some sort of decision regarding Vietnamese potbellied pigs with in the next 60 days.