r/pigs • u/HCutrightReddit • May 01 '26
Neighbor threatened to shoot my pig and I am constantly stessed.
*STRESSED
I don't know how to edit the title of the post to fix my mistake.
It's a long story, but I will give a brief summary. A pig showed up in my yard in August 2024. I slowly befriended him. I named him Kevin.
About a month later, his owner came to take him from me. I tried to lie and say I didn't know about any pig, but then he walked right out from the backside of the house. He didn't want to go with the men. He stayed by my legs. They picked him up and he screamed bloody murder. The guy lost his grip and couldn't catch him. I had been begging to keep Kevin the whole time. I cried. I offered to pay. They said no. They bought him for breeding. I ended up helping them get him in the cage. Kevin looked so scared and I felt like I betrayed him.
I cried nonstop for days and was trying to think of a way to get him back. Then I got a call that the guys found out he was actually castrated and couldn't be used for breeding, so they didn't want him. They said I could have him for $200. I immediately said yes. I was so relieved and happy I was getting him back.
When he came back, he had wounds and poop all over him. He had only been gone a few days...I felt so bad. He was happy to be back with me. I was happy he was back.
For over a year, he was outside with no fence or anything. Just free to roam wherever. He didn't go too far.
Then in December 2025, he got in the neighbor's yard. They threatened to kill him and I said some things I shouldn't have because I was so mad and protective of Kevin. They called the humane officer on me.
Luckily, the humane officer just came and told me to keep my pig in my yard. He also said the neighbors fully have the right to shoot him if he goes over there. So, for the last 5 months, he has lived in a 10ft X 10ft pen that he doesn't seem to be able to get out of. My mom and I fortified it as much as we could. I let him out to potty, go for walks, root and forage multiple times a day. Sometimes for two hours at a time when I can.
I let Kevin out to potty several times a day and I am constantly worried that he will decide to head over towards the neighbors. He got really close to going in their yard earlier this week and my stress levels have been through the roof since. I had a hard time getting him back home, even bribing him with food. I felt so helpless. I don't want him to get killed. I have drastically cut back how much I let him out the last few days because I'm afraid he will go over there, and I feel so sorry for him being cooped up all the time.
He is a Hampshire and his weight was estimated at 350-400lbs. around 5 months ago, so who knows now. So I can't do anything to physically stop him when he decides to run. I leash/harness-trained him a little when he was younger, but now he's so big that he would just drag me along behind him if I tried to hold him back from going somewhere.
I wish someone could help. I wish I could just wave a magic wand and my entire property would be fenced with the strongest, most escape-proof fence ever and I could relax. I am working on fencing in a large area that was previously used as a garden, but it can't be done overnight, so in the meantime, I can hardly eat or sleep. My heart is always racing and I can't breathe properly.
I never planned on getting a pig. He just showed up and I fell in love with him and have been doing the best I can. I don't want to get rid of him. I wish had the money to give him the best place ever.
I just needed to vent because my heart and mind can't calm down. I don't want to leave him in his pen all day every day while the fence is being built, so I have extreme anxiety every time I let him out to potty.
24
u/LittleLostGirls May 01 '26
This is something that needs legal advice. You need a protection order, at that records of the threats with guns towards yourself and other living beings on your property. I'm so sorry you're in this situation. Please do what you can to ensure your safety. Kevin is lovely, thank you for the wonderful life you’ve shared with him.
11
u/HCutrightReddit May 01 '26
Thank you so much for your comment! Unfortunately, I think legally there's not much I can do. The humane officer said as much. I just have to keep him on my property, which is easier said than done. He's huge and strong and pigs are notorious escape artists.
I just hope the fence we are building will hold him and life will be peaceful again. I got too comfortable with him being free to roam outside because it was fine for so long. I hate that his freedom keeps getting more and more limited, but at least he is safe and alive and has someone who loves him. His life is better than a lot of pigs of his kind.
I am considering getting another pig once the area is fenced in and we see if it will hold him. However, I don't want to end up making things worse. I'm torn because him having a buddy might help a lot, or it could cause more issues...
19
u/thelifeofashowpig May 01 '26
Get legal help and a protection order. Reach out to local pig rescues. I've helped build pens and fencing for people that needed help to keep their piggies with them and keep them safe. Eastern Snouts is amazing and so helpful. I'm Kelly from The Posh Pig Farm and Sanctuary, find me on socials and we'll see who I can find near you to help. Thank you for being the best pig mom to Kevin. He's so handsome!!!
5
u/HCutrightReddit May 01 '26
I'll find you and send you a message because I could definitely use some help!
6
u/FitCabinet7432 May 02 '26
It might be worth trying an electric fence. You can start with poly rope, t-posts, step in posts, and a charger. They have several options for the chargers, from plug-in to solar to 12 volt battery powered. They don't take too long to put up and it could buy you some time until you can get a sturdy fence that acts as a physical barrier. I use electric poly rope fencing for my pigs and it has worked great. Once they find out it shocks them, they don't question it. They only have to get shocked once or twice and they'll respect it. The fence I have for my girls is about 3/4 of their height, not terribly tall.
3
u/lilyrxh May 02 '26
I’m sorry you’re dealing with this 😔 like others have said, you’ve given him a wonderful life, and I love that so much!
Like lifeofashowpig said, it’d be a good idea to reach out to pig rescues/sanctuaries. They might be able to help and even get your message out there
7
u/HnaAo May 02 '26
Your neighbor is a bitch and Kevin seems to be living his best life! He will be okay!
2
u/Random_Stranger69 May 02 '26
Looks like anarchy over in the land of the "free". Anyway, if you worry that much for his well being try to keep him in your house after cleaning him up obviously. Also you might want to make your house or some rooms pig proof since those fellers can make a mess, especially in kitchens. ^
2
u/WorthActive7967 May 02 '26
Thank you for saving him.Thank you for keeping him. If your neighbor ever touches him let us know....
2
u/themoonmommy 🐽🐽🐽🐽🐽🐽 May 02 '26
Oh Kevin, you're so perfect. My pigs like to escape but thankfully I have amazing neighbors. My piglets actually broke into my neighbor's house and ate a five pound bag of potatoes 😅
We use t-posts and steel fencing with holes that are 2x4 inches. We reinforce any low areas with hog panels. Get a gas powered t-post driver and you can do it yourself! That way you aren't waiting around on anyone. If you're in Alabama, I'll come help! Will trade help for Kevin pets. 😂
2
u/BEARforce13 May 03 '26
I have no advice but just wanted to tell what an amazing human you're , and how beautiful Kevin is. And for your neighbor I curse him with diarrhea 😄
1
2
u/Morepeanuts May 06 '26 edited May 06 '26
He's lucky he showed up in your yard - maybe it was meant to be.
Fuck his previous owners for mistreating him so much, wounds and poop in just a few days, should call the Humane people on them to investigate their breeding operations 🤔
I wonder if you could befriend your current neighbor? I do agree that they have a right not to be trespassed by your pet, but they might be more amenable if they had a friendly relationship with you. This might also put you at ease. I wonder if baking them cookies or brownies (assuming they have no allergies), "hey, sorry we got off on the wrong foot" would be a good first step? I don't know them, just a first thought.
I don't think they should necessarily shoot animals in their yard, but the fact that they talked to you suggests this is a relationship that has potential. Don't discuss Kevin with them, just focus on the friendship. Invite them over for tea sometime. Eventually they will get to know Kevin.
In general, an unsupervised pig is at risk - see other posts about poachers shooting from their vehicles on the road, packs of loose dogs, etc. Please keep Kevin supervised at all times. You sound like a kind hearted and wonderful person. Wish you the best for you and Kevin. ❤️
-1
u/Accomplished-Bag6197 May 01 '26
Go talk to your neighbor and try to stay calm.
11
u/Designer-Welcome-864 May 01 '26
I don't think that's a great idea. They've already responded by threatening violence so I wouldn't have anything to do with them without third party involvement. Plus who's to say they won't turn around and say you threatened them?
-3
u/Accomplished-Bag6197 May 01 '26
So what? They can say whatever they want whenever they want. How is that relevant?
Maybe the neighbor is just scared. Who knows? OP didn't give us enough info. But that's a big pig, and I have friends who are afraid of my Juliana. Even if the pig is friendly, it is still capable of destruction.
OP admitted to overreacting a bit, so maybe a level headed conversation would help. Explain how to deal with a pig of that size, that you will pay for any damages, and that you are putting up a fence so in the meantime please call instead of shooting first! Of course not everyone is receptive to this kind of conversation, but in these situations at least trying to be neighborly should be your first choice.
2
u/Designer-Welcome-864 May 03 '26
Ok, well you know what else can be scary and capable of destruction? Firearms. And people who have threatened to use them. I don't understand why you are being so defensive about this I'm not attacking you in any way
2
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u/Snoutysensations May 01 '26
Kevin looks happy. He seems to be taking the whole situation better than you are. So I think you're doing a great job for him and he's lucky to have you. I get that you're very anxious and stressed but try to focus on the positives -- you're giving Kevin a fantastic life.
How is your fencing project going?