Hefty hog back home in Hatch

HATCH, N.M. (KRQE) -The big pig of Hatch is headed back home after trustees said the large figure could be displayed in the village once again.

Hatch Village Trustees voted for a special exemption to allow the steel and fiberglass pig to be used as an advertisement for Sparky’s BBQ Restaurant.

The giant pig turned into a debate of big proportions in Hatch the past few weeks.

The pig’s owner bought him on eBay six months ago.

Teako Nunn had been keeping the pig in the village on the way to his restaurant until citizens complained that the swine violated an ordinance banning off-site signs within village limits.

“This is the chili capitol of the world,” anti-pig activist Vince Chavez told News 13. “I don’t think it should become the land of Sparky’s giants.”

Nunn filed for a special exemption to the ordinance three months ago.

Since then, he’s been keeping the pig outside of city limits along Highway 26. Nunn says the pig and his collection of other giant figures have become an attraction the past few years.

When he was granted the exemption Tuesday night, supporters at the village meeting broke out in applause.

Nunn has already moved the big pig, which is mounted on a trailer, back into the village.