Family fighting city to keep therapy pig

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida family's in a fight with their city leaders over a pig who is much more than your average pet.

Twinkie is not your typical pet pig. She is a therapy pet for Kason Ray, an 8-year-old Coral Springs boy with Down Syndrome. But the issue is pigs are not technically allowed in Coral Springs.

Heather Ray said Twinkie is the perfect pet. She doesn't aggravate her husband's allergies, and, even more important, is a therapeutic pet for her son Kason. "He pets her, and he calms down. He's not as agitated."

Bob Goehrig, Coral Springs' city attorney, explained why it's a problem: "A city ordinance does not allow pigs as pets. Pigs are considered livestock."

Ray says the city has not threatened to remove Twinkie, but they could fine her. "If they want to fine, they can, but then we'll take it to the Department of Justice, and then we'll let them handle it," Ray said.

She said the family has a prescription for Twinkie, and under the Americans With Disabilities Act, she should be able to keep the pig. "If the Rays can show us if there is a medical necessity," Goehrig said. "If they can bring us the documentation ... we'll be glad to look into it."

Ray said she had done that, but her waiver was denied. However, after hearing what the city attorney said, she will try again to submit her prescription to city hall.

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