Sunday, July 3, 2016

Oregon: Police rescue “Dahlia” the piglet on I-5; animal reunited with owner

OREGON -- Maybe she was on her way to the market, but maybe she should have stayed home.

Wherever this little piggy was headed, Oregon State Police troopers rescued her Tuesday night from Interstate 5.

Now it appears she’ll get the chance to cry “wee wee wee” all the way home.

The owner of the approximately 1-month-old piglet, named Dahlia by staff at the First Avenue Animal Shelter in Eugene, came forward early Wednesday afternoon and was expected to be reunited with the animal later in the day, shelter spokeswoman Lauren Merge said.


It was unclear how Dahlia escaped from her home or where she lives. Her owner was not identified.

Troopers were called to the northbound median of I-5 near Glenwood around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday for a report of a loose dog running against traffic.

Troopers discovered the animal was not a dog but a piglet. The animal, white with black spots and weighing 30 to 40 pounds, had no identifying collars or tags, police said.

The only animal in the barnyard section of the First Avenue Animal Shelter, Dahlia on Wednesday awaited a reunion with her owner by napping, eating pig feed as well as a tray of fruits and vegetables, and romping around the yard.


She nibbled on grass and pulled some weeds, but did not immediately test out the shelter’s swimming pool.

Merge said it seemed likely that the piglet must be someone’s pet, given her sweet demeanor and love for belly rubs and scratches.

On Wednesday afternoon, Dahlia was both friendly and talkative, letting out plenty of snorts as she explored her enclosure.

Merge said a couple of people had called the shelter before the owner came forward, offering to adopt the piglet if no one stepped up.


At least one caller asked that the shelter not let the piglet go to slaughter.

Merge confirmed that would not happen, because “everyone deserves a safe home.”

(The Register-Guard - June 24, 2016)

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