Chuckles goes to council

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Chuckles, the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, made his way Strathmore’s town council meeting on Nov. 5.
Owner Trevor Dahl pleaded for Chuckles to remain in their home, allowing Chuckles to continue to assist Christina Dahl as a certified emotional support animal (ESA). Chuckles sat patiently and was well-behaved and quiet, in spite of the crowd on hand.
“I do apologize because there was a lot of confusion starting from the very first meeting, then the second one, when we asked for permission to speak and then when more information played out after that,” said Dahl. “Since the very first meeting and through the second one to and continuing on to this meeting, there has been a lot of information that has come forward and a lot of information that didn’t get presented in a timely manner. We seem to have managed to get it in now.”
Dahl made a renewed attempt to address the concerns that have been raised. He submitted the certification that Chuckles was indeed an ESA and he was taking courses to complete his second therapy animal certification based out of Edmonton.
Dahl said the Strathmore bylaw lumps Chuckles under a livestock category, where Canada Statistics categorizes pot-bellied pigs under pet categories. He clarified that Chuckles walks on a leash similar to any dog and likes to go for walks. Dahl would like to be able to take Chuckles for walks, keeping him on a leash. He said he has been a farrier for 17 years and has trained to care for Chuckles, including trimming his tusks.
Dahl does not think breeding pot-bellied pigs should be allowed in Strathmore, but would like to see the limit per household set to two pigs (with conditions), as they are communal animals and are more settled with a companion.
Councillor Pat Fule said his mind is open on the issue; however he would only be considering the letters submitted from people in the Town of Strathmore.
Councillor Bob Sobol asked about Christina’s medical documents and Chuckles’ animal support documents, and asked about Chuckles neutered state.
“Would it shock you to hear that I have received a whole bunch of letters, not from neighbours but from people in Strathmore and area against this issue?” said Sobol.
Dahl said no and both Sobol and Dahl agreed there are two sides to every issue.
Sobol read a letter from Rescue and Sanctuary for Threatened Animals (RASTA). The letter outlined the perils of having a pot-bellied pig as a pet. RASTA indicated that Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs require specialized care as a pet and really should not be kept in an urban setting, but rather in an agricultural setting.
When asked, the Strathmore bylaw officer was still not in favour of expanding the bylaw to include pot-bellied pigs.
Councillor Denise Peterson approved of the documentation Dahl had gathered to support his case.
She said one of the requirements she had to make a decision was that Dahl get the approval of his adjacent neighbours and supply more documentation.
“That you would provide proof that this was an animal crucial to your child’s health well-being and talk to the lengths you have gone to make sure this is a healthy and well cared for animal,” said Peterson. “I am convinced the CD you have provided, and the information with the letters you have provided … from councillors and doctors, have shown beyond a shadow of a doubt that this animal is not only important, but crucial to the well-being of your family. I think it is a different issue from changing the bylaw. I appreciate the education you have given me.”
Mayor Michael Ell said that he had an open mind, would listen to both sides of an issue and how they affect Strathmore residents. He wanted to ensure the appropriate documentation was in place and he needed to listen to the recommendations of the bylaw officers.
Councillor Rocky Blokland asked about infractions of the 10 pot-bellied pigs currently kept by residents of Chestermere, and was told they only one had one infraction where a pig wandered onto the golf course.
Blokland directed administration, with the agreement of council, to bring back to the next council meeting an amendment to the bylaw, with a special exception to the bylaw that could be made for the Dahls to keep the pot-bellied pig in their home. All members of council voted in favour of the direction.
Once administration brings the special amendment back each councillor and the mayor will again have the opportunity to vote whether to accept or reject the amendment and special exception.
The issue has caused a lot of support letters for both sides of the issue and Dahl said he certainly got a crash course in social media throughout the process.