A herd of feral hogs is terrorizing the city of Irving, Texas, leaving residents frustrated as the invasive animals destroy property.
As many as 10 pigs are wreaking havoc on the garden and uprooting garbage left by garbage collectors. According to WFAA.
Local residents are frustrated that after repairing gardens dug up by pigs, the pigs return to wreak havoc.
“A few weeks ago, I started seeing holes being dug in the ground,” homeowner Eric Mendez told WFAA, adding that he had set up a camera in the tree to catch the culprit. .
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A herd of feral pigs is terrorizing the city of Irving, Texas. (Getty Images)
“To my surprise, a pig was caught on camera,” he said.
However, multiple pigs were digging up the property. There were 10 of them, some of them quite large.
Similar pig destruction has been reported in other areas, including the area where Mendez's neighbor's terrain was dug up and Barbara Bush Middle School.
Garbage is also scattered on some sites.
The City of Irving said it is aware of the problem and has hired a wildlife contractor to address the situation. Officials said they believe the pigs came from a wooded area near Grapevine Creek.
According to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, feral hogs cause an estimated $400 million in damage per year in Texas, with national costs estimated at approximately $1.5 billion annually.
As many as 10 pigs are wreaking havoc on the garden and uprooting garbage left by garbage collectors. (Getty Images)
Farmers and ranchers who experience much of the hog destruction can hunt or hire people to hunt hogs on private land without permission, and there is no limit to the number they can kill. However, a standard hunting license is required to hunt on public lands, WFAA reported.
Irving homeowners initially considered shooting the pig, but then realized they shouldn't fire guns at suburban animals.
“My first thought was, well, I'm going to go shoot,” Mendez said. “But I'm like, oh, I'm in the neighborhood. I can't just go out there and start blowing things up.”
Looking for an alternative, Mendez came up with the idea of using a slingshot to hit two trees to scare away the pigs.
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Feral hogs cause an estimated $400 million in damage annually in Texas. (Roger Marrison/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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“I was wondering if I could do something here,” he said.
Pigs are known to attack pets or humans if they feel threatened. They also reproduce quickly, with each sow producing two litters of six to eight piglets each year.
“We didn't expect something this big to creep up out of the creek,” Mendez said.
“It's a hassle,” he added.
