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City ordinance does its job concerning hogs

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  • Aprill Brandon •
  • Originally published January 8, 2009 at 8:43 p.m., updated January 8, 2009 at 8:43 p.m.

We can understand how hogs next door to your home can be a problem. That's why an ordinance was made that requires at least an acre to raise them and other stipulations.

That same city ordinance outlines the requirements for keeping hogs at a residence. The only exception to the ordinance for keeping hogs at a residence is when the hogs are raised for an educational program, such as 4-H, and for exhibition and sale at stock shows and fairs.

This Victoria ordinance, 30 years old or so, is not one you might find in a large metropolitan area, such as Houston, where "hogs, pigs or swine including potbellied pigs, may not be kept in the city (Houston livestock ordinance)."

Victoria, after all, is an agricultural community and has been since its creation back in 1824 by Martin DeLeon.

City Council Mayor Pro Tem Lewis Neitsch told Advocate reporter David Tewes, "I say just leave it alone unless we get more complaints."

We think Neitsch is correct. For one thing, not many one-acre lots are being added to the city, and the ordinance requires at least an acre and no more than five hogs for those educational agricultural programs and stock show entries.

And the ordinance located in Chapter 4, Article 3, of the city code, has additional requirements. When these requirements are met, there should not be many complaints. Only when these requirements are not met will there be a problem.

Eventually, these one-acre tracts will disappear in the city. Let's leave well enough alone.

 

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

  • Ordinance Hog Requirements

    Have at least one acre.

    Raise no more than five hogs.

    Pen and roof covering must be provided.

    Pen must be at least 150 feet from any dwelling other ...

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    • Ordinance Hog Requirements

    Have at least one acre.

    Raise no more than five hogs.

    Pen and roof covering must be provided.

    Pen must be at least 150 feet from any dwelling other than that of the participant.

    No hog wallows.

    Self-watering equipment.

    Concrete slab for pen.

    Hogs should be grain fed.



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