Advertisement

Family fights to have Chuckles the pig returned to young daughter

CALGARY-  It’s one thing to share a bed with the family dog, but what about the family pig?

For the past year, Trevor and Tina Dahl have been battling for the return of their daughter’s beloved pot-bellied pig, Chuckles.

Chuckles was welcomed into the Dahl home two years ago – they took him in when they found him running loose in Airdrie when he was only two days old.

But the family had to ship Chuckles off to a relative’s farm many kilometres away after the town of Strathmore told them pigs in homes are not allowed under town bylaws.

”It was a little pet in our house,” said Tina. “He didn’t go outside or anything and I guess someone phoned in and said we had a little pot belly pig in our house, so they said we had to get rid of him right away. “

Story continues below advertisement

The family wants Chuckles back at home, saying their daughter Cassandra can’t fall asleep without him.

“She was having night terrors and waking up all night long,” said Tina Dahl. “Screaming, crying, wouldn’t go to bed. And then he [Chuckles] came in and that all stopped.”

“He’s just there for me,” said Cassandra.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

WATCH: Trevor and Cassandra Dahl join Global Calgary with details on their pot bellied pig Chuckles, and their fight to keep the pet in their home.

In a bid to get Chuckles back, the Dahls have had him added to the National Service Animal Registry.

“We got him certified as an emotional support pig and a therapy pig,” Tina explained.”So he’s certified for both of them now.”

Story continues below advertisement

An amendment to the bylaw that would allow Chuckles to return will go before Strathmore town council on Wednesday. The amendment would make an exception for ‘emotional support animals.’

Cassandra is hoping she’ll soon have Chuckles back.

“He just comes up onto my bed and snuggles.”

Sponsored content

AdChoices