How Rudi, a local celebrity pig, helped change pet laws in Madison

Madisonians can now keep miniature pigs as pets, per a newly approved city ordinance inspired by a local celebrity swine who almost had to find a new home.

Rudi the Juliana pig became well known for taking walks on a leash with his owners, whom he lives with at a home along a well-trafficked bike path on the near-west side of Wisconsin's capital city.

"He sort of became this sensation in the neighborhood in ways that were really positive," said University of Wisconsin-Madison psychology professor Paula Niedenthal, one of Rudi's owners. "People would come by during the day and say, 'This is the only time I smile, when I see Rudi,' or 'Rudi's brought so much joy ... to the neighborhood.'"

Rudi had lived in Niedenthal's yard along Madison's Southwest Commuter bike path for over a year when a complaint from a neighbor threatened him with re-homing. Following the complaint, Public Health Madison and Dane County sent Niedenthal's household a notice on July 13, informing them that their pig was illegal under city code. The notice warned them they could face a fine if Rudi wasn't re-homed.

This came as a surprise to Niedenthal who said, when she purchased Rudi, she and multiple friends ― including a Department of Natural Resources employee ― looked to see if pigs were permitted in the city and didn't find anything saying they were not.

Because of this, Niedenthal said it was "very difficult" when the "health department just showed up and said 'You have a week to get rid of the pig.'" Niedenthal said she even caught a virus due to the stress of the situation because "there's no way to get rid of a pig immediately unless you're just giving it up. That wasn't what we wanted to do."

But many of Rudi's neighbors wouldn't stand for his forced removal, posting "Save Rudi" signs along the bike path and contacting their local representatives.

Now, Rudi won't have to move. An 11-8 Madison Common Council vote Tuesday night amended a city ordinance, which previously prohibited pet pigs in the city.

What is the new pet pig ordinance in Madison?

Now, Madisonians are allowed one vaccinated pig per household, so long as the animal meets certain conditions.

Pet pigs must be under 300 pounds and under 24 inches high at the shoulder. Pigs also must be microchipped for identification purposes, and owners must be able to provide written proof from a licensed veterinarian that the animal is up-to-date with all vaccination requirements. Additionally, when a pig is off its owner's property, it must be leashed at all times on a leash no longer than six feet.

Niedenthal said Rudi ― who is about 150 or 160 pounds and 20 inches high ― has helped educate many residents in her neighborhood, many of whom had never seen or touched a pig before and are surprised that Rudi is spotted instead of the stereotypical pink.

"Most people think that a pig is a pig is a pig," Niedenthal said. "Many people think that my pig is huge, which suggests they've never seen a miniature pig."

Hundreds of Madison-area residents rallied to change the law

Many of Niedenthal's neighbors wrote emails and letters advocating for Rudi to stay.

"It was my pig, but it was not me who became an activist, really," Niedenthal said. "Hundreds of people called either the mayor's office or one of the alders ... and many people put signs on our commuter bike path. There was even a sign at a Citgo gas station in Belleville, Wisconsin."

Madison District 13 Alder Tag Evers played a major role in amending the ordinance, Niedenthal added; he was one of the amendment's sponsors. In an email, Evers said he wanted to help Rudi as soon as he heard about the pig's potential eviction.

Evers said the previous ordinance prohibiting pet pigs was drafted before miniature pigs were introduced to the United States in the 1980s. Updating the ordinance, he continued, was "an opportunity to allow for some significant joy and happiness to continue" in the city.

Evers modeled the amendment off existing pet pig legislation in Madison suburbs like Middleton, as well as larger cities like Seattle. Currently, there are not many pet pigs in Madison. Evers said he's only heard of one other but imagines "there may be a few more."

"Some have suggested the Common Council should focus on more important matters," Evers said. "I don't necessarily disagree, but I do claim it's possible to work on paramount issues like affordable housing and still find room to do an easy fix like this, one that enhances joy and smiles in our neighborhood."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Madison professor's pet pig helped change a city law in Madison