Patrick the pet pig is pardoned

Mayor Billy Broomfield has saved Patrick’s bacon, so to speak.

Broomfield issued a reprieve allowing a deployed airman to keep his pet pig in the city until he returns from Iraq.

Otis Lundy, who is deployed with the Air Force until the fall, has kept Patrick at his home on Oak Avenue, just a few blocks from City Hall, for years. Patrick is 7 years old, and Lundy acquired him years before the city issued an animal control ordinance outlawing pigs.

But an animal control officer discovered Patrick when he went to Lundy’s home to check out a dog complaint. The person living at Lundy’s home has been taking care of the animals but was unable to deal with a court summons the Police Department wanted to issue.

Police explained that it was their job to write a notice that the pig violates the ordinance. It’s the court’s job to decide whether to take Lundy’s deployment into consideration.

Assistant Police Chief Brandon Ashley said there have been no complaints about the pig; it was just discovered living in the city limits.

Outraged residents on Facebook took Moss Point to task for bringing this up while Lundy was overseas fighting for his country.

Suzanne Boyle, a caller to the Sun Herald, said “he’s got more to do than worry about his beloved animal.”

Though the issue was not on the Board of Alderman’s agenda Tuesday night, Broomfield brought it up and made a declaration.

On Facebook, Lundy thanked his alderwoman, Shirley Chambers, and many friends and neighbors who offered to foster Patrick if needed. The Jackson County Animal Shelter promised to help in any way it could.

Alderman Wayne Lennep declared on Facebook on Wednesday, “Patrick the pet pig has been pardoned by the Mayor! He can stay at his home on Oak Avenue where he will welcome his owner, Otis Lundy, home when he returns from active duty in Iraq later this year. Thank you Mayor Broomfield for allowing common sense to prevail in this matter.”

This story was originally published July 6, 2016 at 1:53 PM with the headline "Patrick the pet pig is pardoned."