In Newton, Kansas, a 9-year-old child, who has relied on his emotional support potbellied pig will not be allowed to keep his pet after city lawmakers decided not to change the law.
According to Channel12News, in a meeting of the Newton City Commission, the family of Owen Grigoreva had asked to allow the pig named Ginger to stay with their son. Recently there had been an anonymous complaint called into the Newton Police Department about the pig since it does go against a town ordinance.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) provide many benefits to their humans, and Ginger has made a world of difference to the life of young Owen. The child told news media he used to be very sad and depressed, and medicine had not been helping him. But when Ginger came into the family, all that changed.
I just decided that Owen’s come so far in regards to his anxiety and depression that i was going to have to find a way to fight it because I just couldn’t do that to my son and have his mental health go back.
Jessica Grigoreva – the child’s mother
Sadly, this week it sounds as if the commission won’t let Ginger stay with Owen. The youngster attended the meeting on Thursday and watched as his mother and other supporters addressed the commission asking to keep the two together.
More meetings are planned in the near future, and meanwhile Ginger and Owen can stay together. The two are very bonded, and it is feared the separation will be very difficult for both the pig and her favorite human.
She helps me when i feel sad, when i feel angry, she helps me with that a lot. Please let Ginger stay with us because she’s like a part of my family.
Owen as told to KmbcNews
(Photo via Twitter)
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THIS IS CRUEL AND JUST PLAIN INSANE! MANY STATES ALLOW PET PIGS!
MAYBE A RESCUE OR FARM CAN TAKE CARE OF OWEN, AND THE LITTLE GIRL CAN VISIT!
MANY OF US WOULD BE READY, WILLING, AND ABLE TO DONATE AND/OR SPONSOR! jUST LET US KNOW!
This is ridiculous. I know that many states allow pet pigs. As a point of fact, the reason pigs like to have mud wallows is because they help keep them from getting sunburned.
MANY animals are actually cleaner than many young human children……
Kansas is an agricultural state, so it’s possible that lawmakers are against ESA to avoid “disease potential” which is easily avoided with regular testing and consistent veterinary care…….
PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP AND HOW WE CAN FIGHT THIS! THERE HAS YO BE A WAY FOR OWEN TO KEEP GINGER!