The rural Victorian town of Wangaratta is currently tying itself in knots thanks to an over-bearing city council who have decided, in their infinite wisdom, to make public enemy number one out of a very, very big pig.
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The big pig happens to be named Grunt, and its owner has – would you believe – been threatened with a staggering $806 fine for the apparent “crime” of taking Grunt for a walk.
Matthew Evans, owner of the 300kg big pig, copped the notice because the council reckons that walking the pig on a leash, an activity Evans does regularly, breaches the “community amenity” law of Wangaratta council.
That law very vaguely stipulates that people cannot “unreasonably interfere with others’ enjoyment of council land or act in a way that endangers them,” which seems like an absurd rule to enforce upon a pig, but here we are.
Evans maintains an active Facebook page for Grunt the Pig, and posted the council whack he copped over the weekend.
While supporters of Grunt have rallied behind the extremely big pig, council officials asserted the threat comes on the heels of a string of incidents, one in which he apparently got spooked by kangaroos in the Wangaratta Common park area and broke free, leading council officials and volunteers on an hours-long chase before he could be contained again (cool), as well as anecdotal reports that a hungry Grunt has stolen food from curious children on the street (very cool).
Grunt the Pig has been BANNED from walking the streets of Wangaratta and his owner threatened with an $806 fine! There have been complaints the 300kg pig can be menacing and taken food from children…what do you think about this? 🐷🚫 #9Today pic.twitter.com/OdqM6yPoDh
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) June 10, 2019
The real twist to the tale here though, is the reported existence of a Wangaratta City Councillor who makes a habit of walking a sheep around town, making this story not so much one about complying with ordinance, rather one of deep-seated jealousy from a sheep owner drunk with power who seethes with jealousy at the clearly superior and much more popular pig.
It is in our esteemed editorial opinion that the King Pig must be freed.
Free Grunt. Free him now.
