An alderman failed Thursday to convince colleagues to allow residents to have pigs as pets.
Joe Dudzik sponsored a measure, which would have allowed smaller pigs – those up to 105 pounds – to live in the city. He said people have asked him why pigs are not allowed, especially now that Milwaukee allows backyard chicken coops.
Dudzik spoke in favor of the proposal at the city’s Public Safety Committee meeting.
A representative from the Department of Neighborhood Services spoke against it, saying pigs would present a public health risk, because they cannot be inoculated against rabies.
The city’s Legislative Reference Bureau compiled a list of about a dozen cities around the country, which allow smaller pigs to live in homes. The list includes Kenosha, Racine, Sheboygan and Waukesha.
