Saving their Baycon from banishment

By BARBARA BEHRENDT, Times Staff Writer
Published October 24, 2007

David Dorvee feeds Baycon a snack while walking out to get the mail. County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed that the pet can stay with her family in Weeki Wachee Acres, an exception to farm animal rules. Neighbors signed a petition showing support.
	[Maurice Rivenbark | Times]

BROOKSVILLE - She's smarter than the family dog, sits on command and is in no way headed to the breakfast table even though her name is Baycon.

And now the 3-year-old potbellied pig is officially allowed to stay in her Hernando County home.

County commissioners on Tuesday unanimously agreed that the pudgy pet can live with her doting family even though county rules classify her as a farm animal and thus not allowed in a residential zoning district.

For Patricia Dorvee, Baycon is part of the family.

Baycon has been with the Dorvees in their Weeki Wachee Acres home since she was a piglet and has a special kinship with their mentally challenged child. Dorvee said the child relates better to animals than people and would be lost without Baycon.

"A small pig is not harmful to our environment," Dorvee told the commissioners. Disabled herself, Patricia Dorvee said that she appreciates Baycon's help grazing in the yard, removing weeds Dorvee can no longer pull herself.

The 90-pound pig travels with the family, stays in the house and is best buddies with the other four-legged Dorvee, Blue, the black Lab.

"She's housebroken. She sits on command. She lays in bed and watches TV with us," Dorvee said. "She's our baby."

Development Services Director Grant Tolbert explained that the county's stand has long been that potbellied pigs are farm animals. They cannot be kept in a residential district like the one where the Dorvees live.

However, there have been instances when the commission has acknowledged that pigs are farm animals but has reached an agreement with residents that they can keep their animal without repercussions from code enforcement actions.

But when that particular animal dies, it cannot be replaced.

The same kind of arrangement has been reached with other homeowners in the past who have as pets roosters, chickens or ducks, among other creatures seemingly more suited for a farm.

Dorvee presented to the board petitions signed by many of her surrounding neighbors urging the commissioners to allow Baycon to stay.

She told commissioners that she has been the subject of several false accusations from one neighbor and that one of those complaints alerted the county to the pig.

No one appeared before the board to complain about Baycon and no letters of protest were entered in the discussion.

Dorvee begged commissioners to let her keep Baycon, saying she was even willing to pay a one-time permit fee to the county for the privilege.

Commissioners fought back the pig puns as they debated the case. Commissioner Dave Russell finally made the motion to "allow the porker in question to stay put."

Unanimous affirmation followed.

Dorvee thanked the commissioners for their action.

"Enjoy," said a smiling Commissioner Rose Rocco.

Barbara Behrendt can be reached at behrendt@sptimes.com or 352 848-1434.

[Last modified October 23, 2007, 20:26:49]