RALLY TO SUPPORT MISS PIGGY (MARY MARCHETTI) AND HER COMPANION PETS, THE POT BELLIED PIGS!

Dear Friends:  An injustice is being attempted on our good friend and fellow companion pet rescuer, Mary Marchetti, Miss Piggy, as she is fondly known by her friends, is being harassed by a wimpy neighbor who has reported Mary and her residence to Metro Nashville Codes Dept. for violation of codes by having farm and livestock animals on her property in the city. 

FACT:  Pot Bellied Pigs are NOT livestock.  They are companion pets.  This is a well known fact.  PB Pigs do not eat the same food that farm animals eat, and they often live inside the homes of their owners, something the Farmer would NOT do with his livestock pig.

FACT:  There is no limit on the number of companion pets that one may have at their residence in Metro Nashville TN.  Limits may apply in special subdivisions with covenants, but Mary's home is not located in a protected subdivision.

FACT.  Mary is permitted by law, as a resident of Nashville TN, to have companion pets, without regard to number or type of companion pet.
FACT.  Mary's house and yard are in a secluded location, not far from Metro Airport and railroad tracks.  Mary has a 6 foot wooden fence around most of her property to buffer any possible sound from her pets.  It is a fact that the airplanes and the railroad tracks create far more noise that her companion pets do.

FACT.  This complaining neighbor does not even live next door, nor can he see the animals in the back yard.  In addition to the fencing, Mary also has a building for her pigs to sleep and rest in, much like a dog owner would build for his dogs.

FACT.  Mary has been recognized by Metro Animal Services (MAS) as a local rescuer to call upon when they take in Pot Bellied Pigs.  MAS is not set up to care for such companion animals, and they trust Mary in the care and handling of these pigs.  Mary does not take on more pigs that she can handle, and she will call on another pig rescuer out of town if necessary.

FACT.  Mary regularly cleans the area where the pigs resides, replacing the straw frequently as required, much like a cat person changes the litter.  The back yard area is kept very clean and the potential stink does not happen due to her frequent cleanings.

PLEA.  Please do not allow the disgruntled neighbor with nothing else to do on his hands and Metro Codes to force Mary and her companion pets to move elsewhere.  There is no precedence for such action, and by taking such illegal action, Metro Codes is setting itself up to begin auditing the homes and backyards of all Nashville residents with companion animals.

ACTION.  If you believe that pot bellied pigs are indeed companion animals and that Mary Marchetti has been unfairly targeted by a disgruntled neighbor, then please sign our petition and send a loud message to Metro Codes that they are messing with the wrong person!  And Pot Bellied Pigs indeed are companion animals (pets).

THANK YOU!       The friends of Miss Piggy and her companion pigs!