Florida family wins fight over therapy miniature pig

CORAL SPRINGS, Ohio - A South Florida family won the battle to keep a pet pig for a young boy with special needs.

Kason Ray has Down syndrome, but getting a therapy dog was out of the question because his dad has severe allergies. Miniature pigs, on the other hand, are hypoallergenic.

“She calms him down when he’s very agitated. He does get very agitated easily,” Heather Ray said.

Twinkie the pig weighs just six pounds and is totally housebroken. But two months ago this little piggy started a fight in city hall.

“City ordinance does not allow pigs as pets. Pigs are considered livestock,” said Bob Goehrig, city attorney for Coral Springs.

After two months, the family is no longer threatened with a $500 daily fine since a doctor wrote a prescription for a Juliana pig.

“She gives him the acceptance that not all special needs people really get in our society unfortunately,” Ray said.

“I think that’s the most important thing for me as a mother to see him get that unconditional love and acceptance.”