A Juliana pot belly pig, named Emmy, is making quite the stir.

Emmy was removed from her Calgary home last week, after her family was served notice, due to a personal complaint; that she would have to go. The City of Calgary has a bylaw in effect stating no livestock or swine are allowed. 

Justin Nupoort and his family raised Emmy for the past year and a half, but after a long arduous battle, the Nupoort's had to find Emmy a new home. A social media plea made by Nupoort went viral being seen by half a million viewers and shared 8000 times, which led Nupoort to Cochrane.

Jayena Collins and her father Jay Eyma(both of Cochrane), have opened their home and hearts to Emmy. Collins has been looking for a pot bellied pig and when Eyma heard that Emmy was in need of a home, he had Collins contact the Nupoort's.

Collins says while she can understand not owning a cow or hog under the City bylaw, she feels size should be an exception.

"The Bylaw in Calgary for livestock and swine says that they are not allowed a pig. Emmy is the size of a dog, she is 40lbs. I would say swine would be 150lbs or over, so I am not sure what this bylaw is all about."

Collins says Emmy is bonding well with her new home at the Eyma ranch, and was obviously loved and well taken care of. Collins is hopeful all the attention Emmy is gaining will cause the City to do a revision.

"I really think it does need to be looked at. Emmy is the same size as a dog, she is quieter than a dog, she doesn't bark, she is litter trained. I really think it is something the City bylaw has to look at- maybe regulated pound wise; she's as good if not better than a dog."

While too late for Nupoort's situation, he is also hopeful Calgary also takes another look at their swine/livestock bylaw.

"It's too late for us, but there is a lot more of them in the City than apparently the City knows about. It's just not good for the pig because they take a bond to someone and it's a forever thing."

Mary Ann Houston, spokesperson for the City of Calgary says the Responsible Pet Ownership bylaw has been in effect since 2006, and a revision is unlikely.

"It is highly unlikely, and the reason stems primarily back to training. Our bylaw officers are trained on how to handle (and shelter people) on how to handle dogs and cats  They don't have that level of training for dealing with other types of animals whether it be: rabbits, or hamsters, or guinea pigs or any kind of pet that is not a cat or a dog."

Houston goes on to say the municipality is really committed to responsible pet ownership, low euthanization rate, and keeping neighbours and neighbourhoods happy. If bylaw for whatever reason needed to place a pet in a rescue situation, most rescues are only equipped and trained to handle cats and dogs. While pot bellied pigs often make good pets, Houston adds they (the municipality) just don't have the expertise to handle them.

Houston says pot bellied pigs pre-2006 have been grandfathered in by the bylaw. While they know other pigs are house pets, they don't go looking for them unless they generally receive a complaint.

Currently the pot bellied pigs and responsible pet ownership bylaw comments:

"Calgarians are advised not to acquire any new pot bellied pigs if they are not permitted under the responsible pet ownership bylaw. Pot bellied pigs acquired prior to March 2006 may be permitted provided that the animal is being appropriately cared for and keeping the animal does not pose any environmental concerns or nuisances in the neighbourhood. Complaints arising from pot bellied pigs are dealt with on a case by case basis."