Ginger the pig must be out of Newton within 30 days, pending an appeal. Judge Kelly Schodorf rendered the verdict after a trial of an hour and 20 minutes. “Ms. Grigoreava shall become compliant with the city code within 30 days of the order,” Schodorf said. “If the defendant remains uncompliant to the city code, the animal shall be confiscated and ownership transferred to the City of Newton.” The trial involved the city attempting to convince the court that Jessica D. Grigoreava harbored a pig. City ordinances do not allow residents to have pigs.For evidence, the city presented four body camera videos, as well as eyewitness testimony from Animal Control Officer Lyndsey Robinette and neighbor Brenda Upsinger. Towle played multiple recorded calls between Grigoreava and Robinette. In the calls, Grigoreava acknowledged having a pig. The calls included a discussion between Robinette and Grigoreava about finding a place to keep the pig. Girgoreava in one call said she had asked if pigs were allowed in the city years prior and was told by an officer that they were. She said she found out after they had Ginger that it wasn’t allowed.
Source: Harvey County Now
