SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A runaway potbelly pig has caught the attention of some local animal lovers.
Sioux Falls Animal Control corralled it earlier this week, and the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society is working hard to bring the pig home.
Hearing a call from dispatch about a pig was not what officers with animal control expected to hear on Sunday, but when they arrived on scene, they believe they came across a friendly pet looking to be reunited with its owner.
The potbelly pig was spotted in the area near the intersection of 69th Street and Sycamore Avenue on the southeast edge of the city. Sioux Falls Animal Control Officer Tanner Bruns took the call.
“Definitely unusual,” Bruns said. “You don’t see potbelly pigs in town every day,”
It didn’t take long for the pig to be safely captured and brought to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.
“The community members had the pig and were just kind of petting it. It was pretty calm and everything. Pigs don’t really like to be picked up, but we did have to pick it up to get it onto the truck. After that, it was pretty simple,” Bruns said.
After the pig was corralled, officers say there were signs that pointed to the pig being someone’s pet.
“It has a microchip and everything like that. It was pretty friendly. It ate strawberries right out of the community member’s hand,” Bruns said.
“Very odd to see a microchip on a pig, but it’s another indication that it’s absolutely owned by somebody, so it’s a super weird situation. We were hoping that there was some information registered to it but unfortunately not,” Sioux Falls Area Humane Society humane officer Emily Weingardt said.
Weingardt hopes to reunite the pig with its owner. The pig is currently staying at the Happy Pig Haven Sanctuary, but if the four-legged friend is yours, you should reach out to the Humane Society.
“We will organize transport and everything. We do like to make sure that it is someone’s pig, so we like proof, pictures, records from vet visits, any of that. Just give us a call,” Weingardt said.
In case you are wondering, pet pigs are not allowed in Sioux Falls, but Bruns says it’s possible the owner lives outside the city limits.
