Community members in Victoria's north-east are outraged that a giant pet pig has been banned from walking on council land.

Key points: Wangaratta Council has banned a local man from walking his pet pig on council land on safety grounds

Wangaratta Council has banned a local man from walking his pet pig on council land on safety grounds The pig's owner, Matthew Evans, could face a $806 fine if the the ban is breached

The pig's owner, Matthew Evans, could face a $806 fine if the the ban is breached Mr Evans argues that the pig is no more dangerous than a dog on a lead and is popular with locals

Wangaratta Council issued Matthew Evans with a cease and desist notice, stating he had broken a local law by walking Grunt the pig in public and would be fined $806 if he continued.

The law stipulates that a person must not interfere with the enjoyment or safety of others on council land.

But Mr Evans said Grunt might be big, but he is no more dangerous than a pet dog.

"He's really slow, he's just a general all-round big baby," Mr Evans said.

Grunt's owner said his pet pig may be big, but is no more dangerous than a pet dog. ( Supplied: Matthew Evans )

Like dogs, Mr Evans said pigs need exercise and he posted a call for help on Grunt's Facebook page to find an alternate place to walk him, receiving hundreds of messages of support.

"He needs about an hour a day or else he gets cranky and starts crying," he said.

Grunt is the size of a Great Dane but weighs around 300kg.

Matthew Evans used to regularly walk his pet pig Grunt along Wangaratta's streets. ( Supplied: Samantha Dick )

"One lady has suggested that I could walk Grunt around her paddock," Mr Evans said.

"But it's all going to turn to slosh under his feet in the rainy season, so it doesn't really help me when it's wet out.

"The problem is, he is heavy and he has little trotters, so he sinks into the ground when you walk him over grass — that's why council paths were so good."

By-law broken

Wangaratta Council threatened Matthew Evans with a hefty fine if he continues to walk his pet pig Grunt on council land. ( Supplied: Matthew Evans )

Wangaratta Mayor Dean Rees said council was responding to a "couple" of complaints from the public and that the ban was a matter of public safety.

"Council has to act on those complaints just like any dog that is complained about," Cr Rees said.

In the letter, council said it was responding to a complaint that Grunt had taken food from a child and another incident when Victoria Police was called to help contain the pig after he escaped from his pen.

"It's not illegal to walk your dog as long as it is on a leash, same thing with a pig," Cr Rees said.

"The concern is for public safety because the pig is of such a large size.

"Let's hope something can be worked out, maybe if the pig wore a muzzle."

But Mr Evans said Grunt is popular among the local community and that he has never received a complaint about Grunt.

"Children feed him all the time, so I don't understand what council is talking about," he said.

Grunt the Pig is popular with children in Wangaratta. ( Supplied: Matthew Evans )

Second letter issued from council regarding Grunt

It is not the first time Mr Evans has been issued with a complaint from council about Grunt.

Earlier this year, council told Mr Evans he was unable to keep a pig of Grunt's size on his 2.5-hectare property.

"We rightly told them that the law says we could have at least 12 pigs on the property the size we have," Mr Evans said.

"They backed down."

Outpouring of support

Mr Evans is hoping a compromise can be made.

"Maybe we just walk him on a path in a certain area, rather than banning him from all council land."

Council is meeting today to discuss Grunt's public walking future.