YPSILANTI, MI - Three of four potbellied pigs that live at an Ypsilanti home must be removed, and the city must investigate and decide on a reasonable accommodation for the fourth pig, a judge ruled Wednesday, March 21.

Ypsilanti city ordinance prohibits livestock.

Stephanie Rowland, along with her family, attempted to prove in court Wednesday, March 21 that their four potbellied pigs qualified as emotional support animals, and that her family qualifies for a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act.

Rowland says she is diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders.

Judge Kirk W. Tabbey of 14A-2 District Court said he evaluated previous cases involving emotional support animals and reviewed federal law to make his ruling.

He said people with disabilities cannot legally be discriminated against when it comes to housing, and Tabbey has doctor's notes backing up her claims that the pigs help her emotional well-being.

But the law only covers one animal, and does not apply to four, Tabbey ruled.

"Doctor's notes don't trump federal law and it's my job to follow the federal law," Tabbey said. "It doesn't talk about multiple animals. They might be helpful, but this applies to one animal under the law.

"I found nothing under the law that allows more than one animal for one person. It would be unprecedented to allow that."

He ruled three of the pigs must be gone by April 18, and the city must investigate and make a ruling for a possible reasonable accommodation for the fourth pig.

Rowland and her family were in tears following the ruling and held one another in the lobby afterward. The family said they plan on finding a short-term home for the pigs while they search for a new, larger home where they can all live.

"It was a complete surprise," Rowland said. "The pigs do therapy work and educational programs and stuff like that. The goal is to move (before April 18) or move as soon as possible after that."

The Rowlands, who live in the 100 block of Woodward Street in downtown Ypsilanti, have lived at the rental since September 2016. They were issued a citation in January for violating the city ordinance.

Stephanie Rowland, 38, and her husband, Jeffery, 42, live at the residence with their six-month-old baby and their best friend Benny Danovi, 47. Three of Danovi's children live part time at the residence.

The Rowlands said they hope to find a home with at least three acres, in the Ypsilanti area.