Oklahoma officials say Larry the potbelly pig is too big for the city

Owners of a pot-bellied pet pig that has been labeled too “chubby” are at the center of a battle with Oklahoma officials over the size of their pet, which apparently exceeds the city ordinance.

The ordeal began when Larry escaped from his pigsty on Thursday, snarling and running through the streets of Moore and blocking a road. He was later detained by police officers and animal control officers.

After Larry’s capture, city officials issued a warning to the pig’s owner, Steffany Jones, citing that Larry was too chubby to stay within the city limits. Animal control officials warned him in writing that he had two weeks to rehom his pig or put it on a diet.

“They told me that if I lost weight I could keep it off,” he said. It’s unclear exactly how much Larry weighs, but city ordinance states that pigs must not exceed 75 pounds, 20 inches.

Now, Jones is in the middle of a fight with officials who are calling for an amendment to the city ordinance.

The controversy started last week when Larry broke free from his pen and became the town’s runaway pig. Jones said the incident was “a complete accident.”

“He was able to get out of his pen and walked down the street,” he said.

jones said News4 Oklahoma that Larry ‘has never had a problem before’ and that everyone loves him. “All my neighbors and their children love it,” he said.

Officials, however, were less than enthusiastic when they had to respond to a pig blocking a road.

The video shows two uniformed officers and animal control personnel chasing the pig down the road trying to discourage it. At one point, after the officers cornered it with a baton, the black and white boar can be heard squealing loudly.

One of the animal control officers is seen trying to use a rope to grab the animal, who was eventually captured and loaded into the vehicle with a towel over his head.

The Moore Police Department released a message Thursday saying the pig was “safely captured by Moore Animal Control with the assistance of Moore Police Officers.”

Moore Police Department officers are seen trying to capture Larry during the hog chase that took place Thursday in Moore, a city in Cleveland County, Oklahoma.

Here officers are seen using a baton to try to corral the pig which was terrified and squealing loudly during the ordeal.

One of the animal control officers is seen trying to wrestle the pig and place some type of rope over its head to stop it.

Officers (pictured) are seen placing the pig in the animal control vehicle after its capture, a blue towel draped over its face. Another officer is seen holding his cell phone taking a video of the incident which appeared to cause the pig a great deal of distress.

Jones, who received Larry as a wedding gift from her husband in 2014, calls him her “baby” and a member of her family.

“It was love at first sight,” he said, telling her News4 Oklahoma that Larry goes “everywhere” with her, including “sleeping in bed and snuggling” with her.

Jones said that when she got Larry nearly nine years ago, her only requirement was that he had to have vet papers stating he is a “miniature potbelly” and showing official certification.

Jones said she has been a good pig owner over the years and has kept in touch with animal control.

However, after the ordeal last week, I was absolutely shocked.

“I brought them information from the American Mini Pig Association showing the size of the pigs and they said all they could do was follow the code that was written,” said Jones, who describes herself as a ‘crazy pig mom’.

Since the incident, neighbors and community members have rallied behind her and Larry.

Jones created an online petition at change.org titled #LARRYSTAYSINMOORE – Mini Pig Ordinance Change for Moore, OK.

She shares a bit of history about Larry, who she said is neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. She also explains his home.

“He has his own fenced-in yard, shed, insulated house with solar-powered heating and air-conditioning, blankets, and a pool for hot sunny days,” she wrote.

‘Larry is very well cared for and loved by his family. He also has a 6-year-old at home with autism who would be devastated if Larry wasn’t around anymore.’

The movement has spurred more than 4,000 signatures, with a goal of 5,000 which, according to Jones, has gone ‘national and international’.

“I have fans from other countries, and Larry does too,” he said. He has fans.

“Sign this petition to show your support not only for Larry, but also to help keep all current and future mini-pigs on Moore with their families.”

Jones will be at a city council meeting Tuesday night in hopes of making a change to the city ordinance.

Jones, who calls herself “a pig mom,” said Larry is part of her family. She created an online petition at change.org to help change the city ordinance. The petition has attracted national and international attention and has received thousands of signatures.

Jones said the neighborhood is standing by her as she tries to get justice for her pet pig and all the other pigs that live in her community. Pictured are some unidentified visitors who often visit Larry, who is a welcome addition to the neighborhood and loved by all, Jones said.