Elusive pig evades capture for days. Cops ‘fairly certain he’s the fastest pig alive’
For several days, a Pennsylvania police department received calls about a loose pig running through neighborhood streets.
But officers with the Manheim Township Police Department weren’t so sure what to do.
“Typically, 40 years of combined police experience will solve almost any problem quickly,” police said in a June 15 news release. “And had this been a dog or cat, it would have been resolved within the hour. But livestock on the loose? Not exactly in our wheelhouse. We don’t have the equipment to catch, contain, or even transport a hog. And where would we transport it to, even if we did have those things? The butcher shop?”
Their creativity skills were put to the test at about 9:30 a.m. that Thursday, when a resident reported “an enormous pig was napping under his trampoline in the backyard.”
A retired officer with a love for animals suggested asking the Lancaster Farm Sanctuary for help, and not long after they arrived with rescuers and “pig-catching stuff,” police said.
Officers thought this would be an easy capture, as the pig they named Hamilton appeared tired as he slept in the shade of a “mostly fenced-in yard.”
Staff with Lancaster Farm Sanctuary tried to bribe Hamilton with food, but the elusive pig found the one spot of the yard that wasn’t fenced and made his great escape.
“A foot pursuit of the escaped swine ensued, and yes, we see the irony in 3 cops chasing a pig,” police said. “As it turns out, Hamilton wasn’t as tired as we thought because we’re fairly certain he’s the fastest pig alive.”
The pig was nearly hit by a passing car, then later ran through a parking lot and eventually into the play area at a pediatric medical facility, according to the release.
Fortunately, no patients or staff were outside.
“After about 20 minutes of chasing Hamilton around inside the courtyard, probably much to the amusement of the staff inside Pediatric Specialty Care, we were able to secure Hamilton in a dog crate (and) load him into the back of the Sanctuary van,” police said. “He was transported to their farm, where he will live out his days, telling stories to the other rescued farm animals about how he was saved from his ‘life on the streets.’”
The department credited Lancaster Farm Sanctuary, saying the officers would likely still be staring at a sleeping pig if not for the help.
“We are much better at catching criminals than we are at catching farm animals,” police said.
The pig has since been named Gregory, and “he was lunging and snapping at people because he was so afraid,” according to the Lancaster Farm Sanctuary.
But after a few days at the sanctuary, the rescuers said he’s transitioned really well.
“He has been up walking around his room, checking things out, drinking water, stretching and just seeming much more comfortable,” the sanctuary said. “He hadn’t gone to the bathroom since arriving and he also did that too! Three times! He must be feeling so much better. We are so happy for him.”
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