Killeen has threatened to seize the emotional support pig.

 

Penny May, a pet pig who also acts as an emotional support animal, is in a court struggle with animal services, according to a recent Killeen transplant.

Jewelliann Jones, 19, the pig's owner, described her as "the goofiest chick you will ever meet."

Penny May, Jones' Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, was seen lounging on the couch watching "My Little Pony" during a recent visit to Jones' Killeen apartment.

Jones moved to Killeen from Wichita, Kansas, to be with her partner, who is presently stationed at Fort 

Hood. Jones and her boyfriend intend to live in the city for at least two years.

Jones explained, "I wanted to move in with my partner, so of course my two cats came with me."

Hector, a white German shepherd that is described as a touch too rambunctious, joins Penny May.

Jones stated that the pet pig entered her life in the year 2020.

"I was living on a farm in Oklahoma when I initially acquired her, and I rescued her from a backyard breeder," Jones explained. "She weighed less than a pound and was just two days old." The first night, she almost died on me, but I kept her alive."

Penny May was a local celebrity, according to Jones, while she lived in Kansas.

Jones gave her apartment management with the documentation necessary to verify Penny May's classification as an emotional support animal when she moved to Killeen, and the manager, according to Jones, is happy with Penny May living at the apartment.

"Influencers would photograph her, and even officers would stop to photograph her," Jones added.

However, complications occurred in Killeen after Jones became embroiled in a dispute with a neighbour at her apartment complex.

"When we moved to Killeen, I had her (Penny May) stay with a foster family who kept her in a trailer, which caused her to injure her rear foot," Jones explained. "I gripped her damaged foot as I was helping her up the stairs to our apartment, causing her to scream." Our next-door neighbour came out cursing and threatening to fight us."

This neighbour, according to Jones, phoned animal control, alleging a Killeen Code of Ordinances ordinance.

"(a) Except as allowed by this chapter or the city's zoning rules, no person shall possess, keep, cause to be kept, or have care, custody, or control of any livestock, swine, or fowl inside the city." (b) The Killeen Independent School District and the City of Killeen are exempt from the provisions of subsection (a)."

The outmoded ordinance, according to Jones, should be changed.

"They basically lump them all together as farm pigs," Jones explained. "The zoning laws are so archaic because swine, pigs, and hogs are lumped together, and they really need to turn it around."

When it comes to the ordinance, though, the city is sticking to its guns.

"Owning a pig or any other animal within the City lines was a violation of the City's Chapter 6 ordinance, unless the residence/property was zoned AG or AR-1. Ms. Jones lives in an R-3 designated home/property. It is a support animal, according to the resident. "Service animals are protected under the ADA, but support animals are not," the city said in a statement.

When asked why the city would seize an animal from a person who would only be in the city for a short period, the city said that it is compelled to implement the regulations as worded.

The city stated the following in response to the topic of where Penny May would be moved if she was apprehended:

"The photo (sic) would stay at the animal shelter until her owner could find her a suitable home, or until she is granted to the City, which would then find her a Rescue."

Jones presented her citizen petition to the Killeen City Council on Tuesday night, demonstrating that Penny May is more than just a pet for her, but also an emotional support animal.

Jones claims to have a qualifying medical condition and that Penny May is a relaxing remedy for her.

Penny May even notices when Jones is upset and rushes over to help her, according to Jones.

Kat Carter, a realtor who works with multiple pig organisations in Texas and is part of a network of people who support pet pig owners in situations similar to Jones', accompanied Jones to the council meeting.

The move to review Jones and Penny May's predicament at a later date was offered by Councilwoman Mellisa Brown and was passed by a 6-1 vote, with Councilwoman Jessica Gonzalez voting no.

Jones was questioned about why she requires Penny May rather than a dog or cat as her emotional support animal.

"You just can't really choose an animal," Jones says bluntly, "but she chose me."