It could be considered a muddy issue, but State Senator Tony Avella, who announced his bid to run for mayor last month, is adding a fight for pig rights to his list of campaign issues. He wants Wilbur the Pig to be able to stay with his owner in Great Kills after the city cracked down, saying the pig had to go. NY1's Natalie Duddridge filed the following report.

Even in the long, colorful history of New York protests, this one stood out.

Holding signs saying "Save Wilbur," about two dozen people joined with State Senator Tony Avella, demanding that Wilbur the Pig be allowed to remain in a Great Kills home as a pet.

"I introduced legislation which would mandate the city of New York to come up with legislation that would allow families to be able to keep the pigs," Avella said.

Earlier this month, NY1 reported on the saga of Wilbur, a registered emotional support pet. His owner Cristi Matteo received a violation from the Health Department, saying she was unlawfully harboring a wild animal and that Wilbur had until the end of this month to find a new home.

“It's very heartbreaking," Matteo said. "He's like my child. He's very emotional. He's very caring. He's very clean."

The health code prohibits city homeowners from keeping pigs as pets, partly because there is no approved rabies vaccine for the animals.

Avella has propopsed the Pygmy Pig Law, which would allow one pig per household if the animal weights less than 200 pounds and is under 22 inches in height. The owner also would need a permit. Wilbur, by the way, weighs 180 pounds.

Avella and Matteo have appealed to the city, asking for a waiver allowing Wilbur to stay. But that was denied. And that means Wilbur still has to go by end of the month. 

"Or they're going to come in, and seize him and do whatever they want with him," Matteo said.

The issue has given Avella some visibility as he launches a longshot candidacy for mayor. At Thursday’s rally, he appealed to Mayor Bill de Blasio to demonstrate what he called compassion.

"This can be resolved immediately. The mayor, de Blasio, has to get on the phone to the commisioner of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and say, 'I'm changing the city's policy,'" Avella said.

The mayor’s office told us that no waiver of the health code will be issued, and that pigs should remain on the list of prohibited animals. The spokesman added that the Health Department will continue to work with Matteo in trying to transfer Wilbur to a sanctuary.