Man fights US village for right to keep support pig

An upstate New York man is in a legal fight to keep a pig he says is his emotional support animal. Wyverne Flatt says Ellie the pot-bellied pig is "family" to him. To officials, the pig is a farm animal Flatt is harboring in the village illegally.

Their legal fight with Flatt could soon go to trial. But, it has already caught the attention of pig partisans who believe the animals should be respected more as companions instead of just a food source. Village Mayor Jeff Baker said the board has no comment while the court case is pending.

But, an attorney for the village wrote in a court filing that the pig is a potential public health hazard. Flatt's attorney argues that his client meets that test, saying that Ellie allowed Flatt to get off his medication and cope with his anxiety. The village has argued in court filings it is willing to make reasonable accommodations, but the Flatt never met the standard.