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Vol. 75 · # 24 Wednesday, June 20, 2012 GST Included $1.35 Serving Kendal, Kirby, Leskard, Newcastle, Newtonville, Orono and Starkville since 1937 RCMP Musical Ride performed two shows at the Orono Fair Grounds on Thursday, a morning show for the school children, and an evening show for the general public. Micro-mini pig squeaks under the wire For the second time in two weeks, Clarington councillors approved an exemption to the recently revised Exotic Pet By-law. Revisions to Clarington's 20 year-old Exotic Pet By-law were approved by Clarington council at their June 4th meeting. Though the recommendation from staff was to ban pigs from living in the urban area, an exemption was made for pot-bellied pigs weighing less than 100 pounds provided they were purchased prior to May 28, 2012. "We granted an amnesty on compassionate grounds for a family pet," Mayor Adrian Foster stated at Monday night's meeting in the debate on whether or not council should grant an exemption for a micromini pig. The Willoughby family of Newcastle found themselves on the wrong side of Clarington's Exotic Pet By-law when the By-Law Department received a complaint that the family owned a pot-bellied pig in the urban area, contrary to municipal by-laws. The family pleaded with council for an exemption from the by-law for their 50 lbs pet pig "Toby" which they purchased prior to moving to Clarington last year. The exemption made to the by-law was not fair according to Shannon Foote who in a letter to council dated June 12, claims that as a responsible pet owner she inquired whether micro-mini pigs were permitted to live in the urban area before purchasing one. "I went to the town prior to purchasing a pig, and therefore am [now] not allowed to purchase one," she stated. " We granted an amnesty on compassionate grounds for a family pet," ~ Mayor Adrian Foster "But the owners who were not responsible and went ahead and got their pets without looking into the by-laws are the ones that are allowed to keep their pets," Foote writes. Councillor Wendy Partner made the motion to grant Ms. Foote permission to own a micro-mini pig within the urban area of Clarington. "In all fairness, this lady came forward in February, and stood by while we updated the Exotic Pet By-law," Partner stated. "This lady should have the chance to get this micro pig," she said. Micro-Mini pigs grow to be about 10 to 12 inches tall. In an attempt to gain some clarity on the amendment, Mary Novak, Regional Councillor for Ward 1 and 2 asked if by approving the exception a person living in a basement apartment, a senior's residence, a townhouse or a top floor apartment could own a 100 Lbs pig. A neighbour in an apartment above could complain about the pitter patter from the pig walking across the floor, Novak warned. With a majority vote, Partner's exemption passed, and Ms. Foote will be allowed to buy a micromini pig and keep it in her urban dwelling.