Columbus City Council to Vote on Roosters, Miniature Pigs Ban

COLUMBUS, Neb. - Columbus officials are considering a residential ban on miniature pigs and roosters  within the city limits. The city council agenda for next Monday has possible action on two different animals that could soon be booted from town. Animal Control officer Shawn Flowers is asking the council to ban roosters because they are not needed for egg production and are a nuisance for neighbors. He said in a memo that he has found other Nebraska cities and towns already ban them. Flowers is also requesting the council to ban miniature pigs for a variety of reasons. He says 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. He also says that the pigs are required to be tested for 'pseudo rabies virus' but he has spoken to several vets in town and they say they do not perform those services. While Flowers wants the mini pigs banned, he says he would be fine if current owners were grand-fathered in and allowed to keep their mini pigs.