Brockton man fights citation over wandering pet pig

BROCKTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- A Brockton man was in court on Monday fighting to keep his family’s pet pig, Porkchop.

“The nature of this allegation is the restraint and confinement of Porkchop the pig,” said Clerk Magistrate Kevin Creedon.

Anthony Ruiz, the pig’s owner, has been issued a $32 citation, which is not the first one he has received.

Porkchop has wandered away before, causing some neighbors to complain.

Ruiz decided to challenge the most recent citation, saying aside from a couple of frustrated neighbors, everyone loves Porkchop.

“That’s not just my pig, it’s my son’s pig,” Ruiz said.

In court, the Clerk Magistrate heard from Animal Control, then from Ruiz.

In the end, the Clerk Magistrate gave Porkchop a new lease on life in the neighborhood, continuing the case without a fining for six months; meaning if Porkchop behaves, the citation will be dropped.

“Well, I think Porkchop received justice,” said Clerk Magistrate Kevin Creedon. “And I think that’s the important thing.”

“I just got to tighten up the reigns, that’s all. Could clamp it down a little more. He’s getting a little too much freedom and he’s getting to used to it, so I got to tighten it up again, that’s all,” Ruiz said.

If Porkchop wanders away between now and October, Ruiz will have to pay his citation fee.