COLUMBUS, Neb. - The Columbus city council made changes to city code regarding animals on Monday night.
Roosters are now barred from city limits, mainly because of complaints from neighbors that their early morning crows are a nuisance. Mayor Jim Bulkley also said they are not needed for egg production.
"The roosters are not needed in the neighborhoods, not wanted by most people, that's the reason for the change," says Bulkley.
The council also voted to ban miniature pigs as pets by unanimous vote.
Animal Control officer Shawn Flowers asked for the prohibition because he says it's impossible for the few current owners of mini pigs to follow the current city ordinance.
Flowers says in a written memo that the city ordinance states that residents cannot own pigs larger than 100 pounds, but full-grown, adult mini pigs typically exceed that weight. He also says owners are required to register them, but there is no registry that exists in the city that keeps tabs on pigs.
The mini pigs were also supposed to be tested for a virus, but vets in town say they don't perform those tests.
Current owners of mini pigs will be grandfathered in.
Finally, the council voted to amend the city code on pet licenses. Previously, owners would have to update their pet licenses at the beginning of the calendar year.
The vote switched the code, so owners will have to update the license every 12 months instead.
Mayor Bulkley said this is an example of a change that makes sense and that this didn't happen sooner.
"I'm surprised, we just haven't been inundated with requests to do this prior," says Bulkley.
Columbus Bans Mini Pigs as Pets, Boots Roosters from City Limits & Changes Code on Pet Licenses
