VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Potbellies can be stubborn and hard to get rid of, especially when a personal routine of diet and exercise does nothing but provoke an “oink” in response!
John Holcomb, who owns Vonbernd K-9 Training Center in southern Vigo County says someone reportedly abandoned a potbelly pig on his property, and now the animal refuses to leave.
Holcomb says that the uninvited visitor arrived last Friday, he doesn’t know who dropped him off.
According to The Humane Society of the United States, many new pig owners aren’t aware that the term “mini” is relative.
“It’s true that the Vietnamese potbellied pigs most often sold as pets are “small” for their species, or at least smaller than commercial hogs. Hogs can reach 1,000 pounds, while healthy, adult potbellied pigs will top out around 150 to 200 pounds. So potbellied pigs are small pigs. Technically. But breeders continue to advertise pigs who they claim will stay under 100, 50 or even 20 pounds. As pigs don’t reach full size until around 5 years old but can breed much sooner, it’s easy for breeders to deceive buyers by pointing to young pig parents as evidence that their piglets will remain small.”
This ‘little’ piggy by Bethany W. Adams
Holcomb said the pig is quite friendly, very gentle, and good around kids, leading him to believe it was once a pet. He hopes a loving home can be found for the swine soon.
“People get these pets, and they just dump them at somebody’s house when they get big. It’s very unfair to the animal,” said Holcomb. “We’d like to find a home for this guy, so if anyone would like to have him, free of charge, just give me a call.”
Holcomb can be reached by phone at 765-562-2889.
