DOWAGIAC — As pigs have become more mainstream pets, the Dowagiac 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 two potbellied pigs at her home that weigh under 75 pounds. If she did not, then she requested the ordinance be amended or repealed to allow the animals as pets.

“I’m looking to get that ordinance lifted,” Baker said. “My pigs are in my house. They are not considered livestock because they are not edible.”

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.

“It’s always fun to get a different topic to take a look at,” Anderson said before sharing the current city’s zoning code at Monday’s meeting.

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 section 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.

“When you look out throughout Michigan and throughout the country, this is not an uncommon ordinance,” Anderson said. “There are certainly plenty of communities that do allow for [pigs] as well.”

Earlier, during public comment, Dowagiac resident Barry Taylor noted a home on Lester Avenue had five cats in the yard and raised fire safety concerns with a makeshift tent being constructed on the property. This property also would be in violation of the city code as a current ordinance allows no more than two domestic pets per household.

Anderson suggested that as 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.

Also at Monday’s meeting:

• A resolution was unanimously passed by the city council to authorize budget amendments to the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. A number of capital projects have started in this particular fiscal year. The city’s finance director, Becky Grabemeyer, wanted to ensure the projects were on the books sooner rather than later, Anderson said.

• A resolution was passed to authorize the publication of a notice of intent to apply for the USDA loan for sewer system improvements. Over a 20-year time period, Anderson said the city could complete all of the projects that are listed in the Stormwater, Asset Management and Wastewater Grant. The rates to pay for the SAW Grant have already been put in place by the city council.

“This is an application to USDA, and it appears to be the best way to finance for a couple of reasons,” Anderson said. “USDA offers the best rates out there, and communities qualify based on income levels. We do qualify, so we can get the best interest rates almost a half a point cheaper than you can get in the open market.”

The USDA loan could also open the door for potential grants.

The paperwork and follow up with USDA will take a predicated eight to 10 months to complete, Anderson said.