By Helen Borland  / Staff

Roswell has its own version of the Three Little Pigs, with some neighbors of the pet swine being the big bad wolves who want to huff and puff to get rid of the noise and smell.

Within the past six months, at least two complaints have been lodged against people in the city of Roswell who keep pygmy goats and potbelly pigs at their home. Although he was not able to divulge the names of the two people who keep the exotic pets, Bradford Townsend, Planning and Zoning Director, said the council was aware of the problem and it has been discussed in the planning and zoning committee at least twice.

Townsend presented a text amendment regarding companion animals to the Roswell Mayor and City Council at the March 8 meeting. The amendment would limit the number of pygmy goats and Vietnamese potbelly pigs to three per household, the same limit as dogs. Councilwoman Betty Price moved to initiate the amendment and Councilwoman Nancy Diamond seconded it.

The amendment will go back to the planning committee for redrafting to simplify its definition then brought back to council.

There are some people in Roswell who may wish that the pens were surrounded with high brick walls instead of straw or sticks, but if the city council has its way, the goats and pigs will stay.

Contact Helen Borland at hborland@beaconcast.com.