Maggie the Pig stays home

[AGXStarseed]

(Not written by me. Edited to remove the word 'sufferer')

Chandler officials have told Arlene Gil, whose son has Asperger's Syndrome, that the child can keep a pot-bellied pig as a pet. The family claims the pig provides emotional support for the 9-year-old.


It took a three-month fight and the threat of a lawsuit, but the city of Chandler finally agreed to save Maggie's bacon.

The 3-year-old Vietnamese pot bellied pig will be allowed to stay with David and Arlene Gil, who were told in August that Maggie would have to go because the north Chandler property is not zoned for livestock. The couple said Maggie wasn't just a pet, but an emotional-support animal who helps their 9-year-old son, Julian, deal with Asperger's Syndrome.

A ruling finalized Nov. 17 determined, based on information provided by the Gils and their attorney, John Schill, that Maggie does assist a person with a disability and that an accommodation will be made in her case.

Chandler said letting Maggie stay "is necessary to afford the minor child an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the residence,'' according to the city's Notice of Decision.

Schill had argued on behalf of the family that Maggie is allowed to live in the home under the federal Fair Housing Act because it provides emotional support. Julian's parents have said the animal helps calm him and has helped him to better socialize at school.

Julian and Maggie - Gil family

"I think the federal law is there and the city of Chandler realized the federal law controls this,'' Schill said.

Schill said he and the family found out about the decision Thursday. The Gils were not immediately available for comment.

City spokesman Matt Burdick said the decision applies as long as Julian lives at home with his parents.

He added that "the residence must be maintained in compliance with all applicable city codes.''

"This outcome was reached through a fair process that balances the child's rights under the law along with the rights of neighboring property owners,'' Burdick said.

City officials initiated proceedings to have Maggie removed after receiving an anonymous complaint.

Chandler initially wanted Maggie out in August, but later extended the deadline to the day before Thanksgiving to give the family more time to respond.

The city's ruling specifies that the decision does not change Chandler's ordinance regulating livestock on properties and that, should the Gils move to another home in Chandler, they will need to request another accommodation from the city.


SOURCE: http://www.azcentral.com/story/news...1/19/chandler-maggie-pig-stays-home/76065964/

 

[Ste11aeres]

Now if only the same thing could happen for this family whose dog-an emotional support dog for a girl with Aspergers-was seized.
Guys: please feel free to go to this facebook page and offer a message of support. Such a message from Aspies would be appreciated.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/saveedith/


I was told by the ADA that Edith was exempt from no pet housing and that Jacksonville could not make us move....I have a letter from my daughters Doctor stating that Edith is Ahmeahs support dog. The city atty Bamburg refused to acknowledge it

***FACT***
Edith never bit anyone, was off leash in public, or had an altercation with another animal.
She was seized because of how she looks! she is a pit bull mix in a city that believes it's okay to ban an entire breed! Edith has never done anything wrong!

Some people that say they are Pit Bull advocates are siding with the BSL city. They don't think my daughter deserves to her dog back because:
Edith wasn't spayed when she was seized the 2nd time, even though she has NEVER had puppies!
***FACT*** When I realized how important it was that she be spayed, I immediately contacted the shelter to have it done. The day she was supposed to be spayed is the last time we saw her before she disappeared..2 months ago!!

Some people have also made up their own version of what happened the day Edith was seized in August.
They are saying that Edith was in a vacant lot with no food, water, or shade.
***FACT*** Edith was in the backyard of a vacant rent house owned by a friend! She had food & water in the shade, in the shed, in the backyard. The only reason she was there is because pest control was spraying the inside & outside of my residence that day and it wasn't safe for her to be at home for a couple of hours.

Some people are judging me because I didn't move in January when the city of Jacksonville told me to.
***FACT*** I wanted to move & tried. I am a single mom with 3 young children and did not have the resources to move. I had just paid deposits and moving expenses 2 months earlier when I moved to Jacksonville. I also had to pay $600 in fines to the city. I was told by the ADA that Edith was exempt from no pet housing and that Jacksonville could not make us move. I had never even heard of BSL until January of this year when animal control took Edith.

***FACT*** Animal control passed right by chained pit bulls on my street, as well as a dog next door that has lived on a chain it's entire life, to come to my home and take my little girls therapy dog! They ignore the dogs on chains and the owners that don't even deserve to have a dog to come to my home & tear my family apart

***FACT*** I have a letter from my daughters Doctor stating that Edith is Ahmeahs support dog. The city atty Bamburg refused to acknowledge it

Someone with Reassuring Paws rescue in Conway Arkansas who is involved with hiding my dog said she is against BSL and is a pit Bull advocate??? Wow?!

 

[Judge]

Now if only the same thing could happen for this family whose dog-an emotional support dog for a girl with Aspergers-was seized.

Edith never bit anyone, was off leash in public, or had an altercation with another animal.
She was seized because of how she looks! she is a pit bull mix in a city that believes it's okay to ban an entire breed! Edith has never done anything wrong!

This strikes me as exactly the same kind of prejudice that existed regarding the pot-bellied pig. Where the reality of the situation was that the was no tangible or elevated exposure to the animal in question. Only the perception of one.