The Knoxville City Council held an initial discussion on potentially allowing pot-bellied pigs to be owned in the city at Monday’s meeting. The issue was brought forth when the Police Department received a complaint of these animals on the street. These animals are considered to be livestock, which are not allowed in city limits. Council member Dylan Morse says this issue will be further discussed after careful consideration.

“This is a unique situation. What this brought about was the idea that pigs and livestock are not allowed in city limits, even pot-bellied pigs. By the letter of the law, they are considered livestock. Livestock is not an eligible use within the city limits. We had several folks there that live in town that have them as pets, of course not knowing that they’re not allowed. We’ll further the conversation on whether they should be allowed, the ramifications, things like that.”

The issue will be discussed further, and the council will decide whether to amend the code to allow these types of animals as pets. Read more about the issue here.