KINGSTON TOWNSHIP-- A family who recently moved to Luzerne County's back mountain area wants to change what they describe as outdated zoning laws.
It all centers on the family's pet pot-bellied pig named Gemma. The family feels stuck in the mud after being told the pig has to go.
A Kingston Township zoning ordinance bans farm animals in neighborhoods. But the family considers Gemma one of their own, and according to their attorney, so does Gemma.
"This pig just feels like it's part of the family," said Larry Kansky, the family's attorney.
Gemma is more than a pet to the family. She's a therapy pig to Heather Brennan, providing her emotional support.
Now, the family is seeking the community's support for their effort to keep Gemma. An online petition started just a few days ago already has more than 1,100 names.
The township manager said the ordinance passed in the 1980s.
"No pun intended, but someone has to be the guinea pig in some of these ordinances that are outdated and maybe in the future we can get it changed, but it has to go through this process," said Kathleen Sebastian, the township manager,
The case is expected to be heard by the township zoning board Thursday night.
The family stresses it's not trying to make the neighborhood a farm zone, it just wants to update the current ordinance to allow the pig.
