Lost & Found: Oink !

[Hum]

BAYOU GEORGE ? Someone seems to be missing a very large pig.

The 800-plus pound pig has taken up temporary residence at Bay County Animal Control until its owner can be found.

Animal Control Director Bill Olasin said the pig was reported to his office by Bay County Sheriff?s Office after a resident of Greenbriar Drive in Fountain called law enforcement to report a ?very large? pig in her front yard ? a 6-foot-long, 3-foot-high, 2-foot-wide pig, to be exact.

?Imagine her reaction when she walked out on her porch and found that in her front yard,? Olasin said.

While dogs and cats are by far the most common inhabitants of the animal control shelter, livestock, including pigs, goats and horses, occasionally find short-term refuge at the facility. If the owner of livestock can?t be found within 30 days of the first public notice, the sheriff is required to auction the animal off on the courthouse steps. A mare found wandering last November was headed for such an auction when she was claimed by her owner.

And, though animal control is used to making accommodations for their unique visitors, the newest arrival is in a class by itself.

?We?ve never had a pig of these proportions, absolutely not,? Olasin said. ?Everyone who?s seen him says it?s the biggest pig they?ve ever seen.?

The pig won?t fit in any of the inside cages, so a covered pen has been constructed for housing. An estimate on the pig?s weight hasn?t been obtained, but, though he said he?s no expert on pig weights, Olasin guessed the animal weighs 800 to 1,000 pounds.

The pig is not aggressive and spends most of its time lazing in the muddy enclosure, Olasin said. The pig?s tendency for routing has caused some problems, though. The pig routed up a pipe for the sprinkler system Thursday afternoon and routed out of his pen Thursday night or early Friday and was found by an animal control officer.

Pigs don?t sweat, so Olasin said animal control officers have to visit the animal frequently for hose downs on hot days to keep it cool. The pig?s feeding trough is a kiddy pool and Olasin estimates the animal eats 25 pounds to 30 pounds of dog food each day.

?He likes oranges, too,? Olasin said.

The pig?s well-fed, rotund frame and its docile personality are clear indicators someone owns the animal, Olasin said. Animal control officers have been canvassing the Fountain area and talking to people at feed stores to see if they can find anyone missing a very large pig.

If no owners are found, the pig will head to auction in about a month.

source

[Hum]

^ What an irresistible fellow. :p

[Charisma Veteran]

... that would make a LOT of bacon. :drool:

[DocM]

Article's author needs a spelling lesson - it's 'rooting', not 'routing'.

You'd be surprised at how many people keep pet pigs, though most of them are small varieties like the pot bellied pig. Pretty smart & affectionate.

[Hum]

^ 'Bout time you 'weighed' in. :laugh:

[killmaster84]

Here I was hoping it was about the music sharing site Oink coming back :'(