Meet Ganon the micro pig: Couple want Elgin to let him be a pet

Ganon is a sweet little thing who likes to cuddle, loves raisins and Cheerios, and is smart enough to be potty trained in just two days.

But Ganon is also a pig - albeit a "micro" one that so far weighs only 4 pounds - so he's not allowed on residential properties in Elgin.

That's a problem for resident Dominick Mollica and his girlfriend, Lauren Rodman, for whom Ganon is the ideal pet.

"They are really smart and they are hypoallergenic. And they are just like dogs in so many ways," Rodman said. "You can walk them, you can litter-box-train them, and they are not picky eaters. They're great pets."

Rodman said she found out about micro pigs after researching pets for Mollica, who is severely allergic to cats and dogs. She found a breeder in Michigan and selected Ganon, the runt of the litter who stole her heart.

It was only after that Mollica realized Elgin's ordinances prohibit residents from having pigs and other farm animals in their homes. The only exception is chickens whose owners have been issued a license.

Mollica argues another exception should be made for micro pigs, which he explained is a general term for various tiny pig breeds. Ganon is a Julianna pig, a breed developed to be house pets.

Adult Juliana pigs can weigh up to 50 pounds, but Ganon, who is nearly 3 months old, is expected to stay around 30 pounds, or the size of a pug dog, based on his parents' size, Rodman said. Ganon will be neutered when he's old enough at about 6 months, she said.

"After chimpanzees and dolphins, they are the third-smartest animals," Mollica said. "You can teach it tricks, like teach it to sit. Pretty much all the stuff you can do with a dog, you can do with him."

Mollica pleaded his case to the Elgin City Council last week. Councilwoman Tish Powell, who is on the board of Mollica's homeowners association, pointed out association rules don't allow micro pigs. But Mollica said the association's president told him that could be changed if the city changes its rules.

After the meeting, Mollica contacted council members individually.

Councilwoman Carol Rauschenberger said she's in favor.

"I believe, since they are bred to be domestic animals, that they should be fine in Elgin," she said. "If there was not any other issue, I would be very happy to vote for such an amendment."

"I checked out micro pigs online, and I'm open-minded to it," Councilman John Prigge said. "This is basically an indoor pet as compared to four chickens that are supposed to be outside." Prigge was among three council members who last year voted against allowing residential backyard chickens in Elgin.

The Internet is rife with stories of pseudo-mini pigs sold by unscrupulous breeders, and whose owners end up shocked when they turn into large hogs. But Rodman and Mollica said they did their homework and are sure Ganon is the real thing.

Rodman also said Ganon could be a great asset to her work as a therapist, especially during sessions with young clients, if he's certified as a therapy animal. "I feel he'd be so awesome with the kids," she said.