Canajoharie man fights village to keep pet pig

CANAJOHARIE – A man in Canajoharie says he’s being forced by the village to get rid of his pet pig. He says he’s determined to fight this.

Ellie the potbellied pig is about 100 pounds.

She loves to eat and hang out with the two dogs and several cats who live with her.

For the past two years, this pig has been the focus of a legal battle.

"I couldn’t imagine coming home and not being able to have my pig with me," said Wyverne Flatt, the pig’s owner.

Flatt says when the village found out he has a pig, he was told it’s against the law.

Canajoharie village law states a hog is one of the animals that cannot be kept in the village on an area less than five acres of land.

"She’s not a farm hog. She’s a registered emotional support pig," said Flatt.

He has the card to prove it.

Flatt says Ellie has helped him with his anxiety as he went through a tough divorce.

He’s had Ellie for five years. He originally got her in South Carolina and moved to Canajoharie two years ago.

He built an insulated shed for Ellie in his backyard.

"She’s pretty quiet, she doesn’t do anything, she just kind of hangs out, plays in the yard, comes in and hangs out inside," said Flatt.

She jumps up on the couch, and sleeps with the cats.

Flatt says he’s been to court 13 times for this, and he’s not willing to give her up.

"Nobody has asked to see my pig, nobody has asked to see a picture of her or come over and see how she lives," said Flatt. "I love her. I love her to death and I don’t want her to go anywhere."

NewsChannel 13 reached out to the village mayor and to the village attorney several times. We also stopped by in person at both offices. The village attorney’s office got back to us and said they have no comment.

Flatt says he’s due in court for the 14th time next month.