Vernon family fights to keep Felix the pig

VERNON – A north Okanagan family is fighting to keep their pet pig. Felix is a beloved companion but keeping him on their Vernon property is against a city bylaw. This week the family appeared before city council and asked them to make an exception for Felix, who they say is a mini or micro pig.

“He is very smart and he is just really fun to have,” says Brenda Quint McNeil. “I spend more time with him than I do anybody else.”

But Felix’s days living at Quint McNeil’s Vernon home may be numbered unless city council is willing to make an exception. The city has a bylaw on the books that says no one can keep swine in Vernon “unless the lot is assessed as farm land.”

“He sleeps in the house. He has a litter box. He is definitely not a farm animal in any way shape or form so that is why I’m fighting for a variance so I can keep him,” says Quint McNeil.

Brenda and her husband got a letter from the city, dated May 11, saying they had until June 11 to remove Felix from the property. But the family wasn’t going to give up Felix easily. They appeared before council this week with signatures of support asking for council to make an exception and allow the family to keep Felix. The family would eventually like to see the bylaw changed entirely to allow micro, mini and teacup pigs.

No one from Vernon city council was available for an on-camera interview Wednesday. At their next meeting, in July, city council is expect to hear a recommendation from staff on the issue and discuss the matter.

The city’s bylaw division says it won’t be enforcing the compliance order, which asked the family to remove Felix from their property, until council has addressed the issue.