The ordinance called for the division to return to its former status as a stand-alone city department. The measure was co-sponsored by Ward 1 Alderwoman Thelma Walker and Ward 4 Alderman Steven Mays.
The ordinance was proposed in response to the May 19 shooting and killing of a loose pig by a Pine Bluff police officer assigned to the Animal Control Division. Prior to the council vote on the ordinance, Ward 3 Alderman Bill Brumett said that Pine Bluff Police Department Chief Jeff Hubanks had adequately explained at the June 6 council meeting why the killing of the pig was necessary.
“Chief Hubanks said that regulations concerning feral hogs are clear in that they must be killed,” Brumett said. “Hubanks said that the officer was following procedure.”
Neighbors dispute the allegation that the small pig, affectionately named Bacon, was a "feral hog". To some he appeared to be a pot-bellied pig, which is considered an exotic pet.
"It was a tiny little pig. It couldn't have been no more than 4 months old, maybe 30 pounds," said Webb. "He was obviously someone's loose pet. I never in a million years thought they would shoot it."
Pine Bluff Mayor Debe Hollingsworth read an email from Arkansas Livestock & Poultry Commission Executive Director Bruce Holland, which supported the actions taken by the officer.
“If someone were to have caught this feral swine and kept it alive, they would have been guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 or more than $5,000,” Hollingsworth read. “So it is clear that the actions taken by the animal control officer were actually required according to state law.”
Bruce Holland, did you have a licensed veterinarian examine Bacon's body to determine whether he was a feral hog, an escaped livestock hog or a small, pot-bellied pig??? Noooooooo.
(Pine Bluff Commercial - June 21, 2016)
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