Delaware Ag Department Provides Microchip Option for Potbellied Pig Owners

DOVER, Del. (July 21, 2023) — More than 40 Delaware potbellied pig owners have applied for an Invasive Animal Permit since the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) notified residents last week of the new regulation, 3 DE Admin. Code 906 Possession, Sale, or Exhibition of Non-Native and Invasive Animal Species, listing potbellied pigs and feral swine of any kind as invasive. One of the biggest concerns for these owners is the visible identification ear tag their animals must have to comply with the regulation.

“We know for many owners these pigs are their pets, many living in their homes like a dog or cat would, so the thought of an ear tag used for pigs on a farm is hard to handle,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Karen Lopez. “Based upon the feedback, we are providing the option for owners to have their pigs microchipped by their licensed veterinarian. However, if they are not microchipped yet, owners must call their veterinarian immediately to get on the schedule.”

Despite regulations stating that the animal must have visible identification, owners will not be in violation if they choose to microchip their animal. Owners must schedule an appointment with a licensed veterinarian to have the pig microchipped before their on-site premise inspection. The licensed veterinarian must provide the owner with a copy of the universal microchip number and proof they microchipped the animal to submit to DDA Poultry and Animal Health staff at the on-site inspection.

At the time of inspection, the invasive species owner will be made aware and sign a liability waiver to affirm that there is an understanding of the fact that invasive species that are microchipped are at greater risk of being euthanized if they do not report the escape of their animal within 12 hours of it leaving their premises. Owners who have reported their invasive animal at-large will have 72 hours to assist DDA in recapturing their animal.

“There are people out there who are accusing us of wanting just to kill these pigs, which is not the goal of this regulation. We now have a feral swine population of about 300 pigs, which stemmed from the abandonment and escape of potbellied pigs and potbellied-cross pigs,” said Lopez. “By having a permit process for these invasive animals, we want owners to take the initiative to ensure their pigs have the proper housing and secure fencing so they can’t escape, that they spay and neuter their animals so we can stop unwanted litters and behavioral problems and that if they escape, the owner reports it to us so we can work with them to recapture their animals.”

An Invasive Animal Permit is required for potbellied pigs, or any pig breed advertised as micro pigs, teacup pigs, mini pigs, pocket pigs, or pygmy pigs, or a potbelly cross including pigs with genetics from American Guinea Hogs, Julianas, KuneKune, and Meishan.

For more information regarding this new regulation and to obtain an application for an Invasive Animal Permit, visit https://de.gov/invasiveanimals.

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Delaware Potbellied Pig Owners Have 30 Days to Apply for an Invasive Animal Permit

DOVER, Del. (July 13, 2023) — On June 1, a new regulation was published in the Delaware Register of Regulations (Volume 26, Issue 12) listing potbellied pigs and feral swine of any kind as invasive. The Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) is providing a 30-day grace period for potbellied pig owners to apply for an Invasive Animal Permit. Owners have until August 12 to submit an application and comply with 3 DE Admin. Code 906 Possession, Sale, or Exhibition of Non-Native and Invasive Animal Species.

Since 2016, Delaware has been experiencing a significant increase in potbellied pigs running at large in residential and rural areas, including on state lands. Potbellied pigs are non-native to the State of Delaware and many animals are eventually abandoned by their owners; are not in good care; have been a nuisance for private property owners; and, with the species’ early reproductive capacity, can become feral quickly and may contract contagious and infectious diseases that can spread to both people and animals.
Potbellied pig owners have 30 days to comply with the new regulation prior to a public notice being issued. During this time, an owner or caretaker that possesses, breeds, sells, or exhibits an animal species determined to be invasive is required to:

  • Cease breeding or other activity that increases the count of potbellied pigs
  • Provide adequate housing and secure fencing such that the animals cannot escape
  • Report within 12 hours to DDA in-person or by telephone if the animal is at-large
  • House male and female animals capable of reproducing separately to ensure that breeding does not occur
  • Obtain an Invasive Animal Permit from DDA, and the animal will be tagged with a visible form of identification registered with DDA.
  • Allow the Department, State Veterinarian, or duly authorized agent access to the premises where the animal species is being held to assess compliance with 3 DE Admin. Code 906, and to examine the welfare of the animals, and in the event of or threat of a contagious or infectious disease.

The Invasive Animal Permit application is available online at https://agriculture.delaware.gov/poultry-animal-health. The owner must complete the front of the application for each animal. There is purposely no cost for the permit because DDA wants to encourage all potbellied pig owners to do the right thing and register their animals. Applications can be emailed to deanimalhealth@delaware.gov or by mail to the Delaware Department of Agriculture, 2320 S. DuPont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901.

Once an application is received and reviewed, a Poultry and Animal Health staff member will contact the applicant to schedule an in-person on-site premise inspection, tag each individual animal, and complete the Invasive Animal Permit.

While an owner must report an animal at-large within 12 hours, DDA will often receive reports from constituents first who see an animal on the road or running loose in a field. Using an easily identifiable ear tag, DDA can locate and notify the registered owner of a potbellied pig found at large. If an invasive animal is found at large without visible identification and DDA cannot contact the owner or caretaker, the invasive animal species can be euthanized immediately on-site.

Before changing possession or relocating an invasive animal for any reason, the person transferring ownership or person relocating the invasive animal species must notify DDA in writing on forms provided by DDA of such transfer or relocation. No transfer of possession or relocation of an invasive animal species may occur unless and until the transferee or the person accepting the related invasive animal applies for and is granted a new permit by DDA as provided for in this regulation or receives approval from the State Veterinarian to relocate such an invasive animal across state lines. Any owners that no longer wish to keep their potbellied pigs can relinquish them to the Delaware Department of Agriculture by emailing deanimalhealth@delaware.gov.

In addition, if an individual or retail establishment is found selling or otherwise making an invasive animal species available to members of the public, the establishment will be found in violation of 3 DE Admin. Code 906, and any invasive animal species found on the establishment’s premises may be seized and euthanized.

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Delaware Sees Increase in Potbellied Pigs Running At Large, Owners Reminded to Secure Animals

DOVER, Del. (November 17, 2022) — Delaware has been experiencing a significant increase in potbellied pigs running at large in residential and rural areas, including on state lands. Running at large, these pigs pose a nuisance to landowners, increase the threat of establishing feral pig populations, damage natural resources, and risk carrying endemic diseases – such as salmonella or even swine flu – that can spread to both people and animals.

People selling potbellied pigs entice pet owners with marketing terms such as micro pigs, teacup pigs, mini pigs, pocket pigs, and pygmy pigs. New pet owners believe they will have a cute little piglet to love, but as these animals age, the pigs can grow quite large while becoming hard to handle and difficult to contain. Potbellied pigs can weigh between 70 to 200 pounds and can live upwards of 15 to 20 years.

Since 2016, there has been an increase in potbellied pigs running at large in the state. A significant contributor has been the unimpeded pipeline of pet pigs becoming strays. Owners who can no longer manage these animals are likely to relinquish ownership and allow them to roam.

As potbellied pigs are a non-native species, swift action will be taken to mitigate any threats they pose to Delaware lands, livestock, natural resources, and human health. The pigs will be dispatched immediately if they are found at large on state-owned lands, including state forests, state wildlife areas, and state parks. Due to the ability of potbellied pigs to reproduce at a very young age, the state must ensure that a feral pig population does not become established, which could rapidly lead to the spread of disease and property damage.

Male potbelly pigs can breed as early as eight weeks of age, and the females can become pregnant at three months. Owners are encouraged to spay or neuter their pet pigs to prevent unintended litters. In addition, neutering male potbellied pigs can help to decrease behavioral issues, including aggression and the innate need to roam when a sow or other animal is in heat.

Potbellied pigs found at large due to a constituent complaint will be assumed to be stray, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture will determine the disposition of such animals. Pet owners are encouraged to utilize visible animal identification, such as an ear tag, so if a potbellied pig is found by the public, it can be reunited with its owner.

Potbellied pigs can live indoors or outdoors, or a combination of both. However, when outdoors, potbellied pigs require a secure pen where they cannot escape and run at large. It is recommended that owners use hog panels available at local agriculture supply stores, along with wooden or metal t-supports. If the animals are not on a cement-floor pen, part of the fencing should be buried underground, so the pig does not root in the dirt, slip under the fence, and escape.

If you are a potbellied pig owner and need guidance on securing and housing your animal, spaying or neutering, or animal identification, contact the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Poultry and Animal Health Section at 302-698-4561.

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