DOWAGIAC — As pigs have become more mainstream pets, Dowagiac’s city council has had to address whether residents are allowed to own these snouted companions as pets.

At an Oct. 14 city council meeting, Diatra Baker, who had previously moved to a home on E. Prairie Ronde, asked the council if she had permission to have potbellied pigs at her home. If she did not, then she requested the ordinance be amended or repealed to allow the animals as pets.

After researching the city’s zoning code, City Manager Kevin Anderson said it states very specifically what animals are and are not allowed within the city’s limits.

Currently, Section 2.18 of the zoning code titled, keeping of animals, states household pets include dogs, cats, fish, birds, hamsters and other animals generally regarded as household pets.

The second ordinance states animals that are not considered household pets include, but are not limited to wild animals, horses, pigs, sheep, cattle and poultry. These animals are prohibited in all zoning districts.

Earlier during public comment, Dowagiac resident Barry Taylor noted a home at 110 Lester Ave. had five cats in the yard. This also would be a violation of the city code as the current ordinance allows no more than two domestic pets per household.

Anderson suggested that since the keeping of animals’ ordinance is part of the zoning code any proposed amendments would need to be reviewed by the planning commission first. If the planning commission sees fit, they could propose amendments, which would include hosting a public hearing before any recommendations could be made to the city council.

The council unanimously decided to pass along both ordinances regarding pigs as pets and the number of domestic pets per household to the planning commission for further review, consideration and recommendations.