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Hogs go wild in Spring
By OBSERVER STAFF REPORTS
Recently, residents in the Spring Trails subdivision have been getting rude awakenings by seeing their beautiful landscaping destroyed by wild hogs.
“We’re looking at a real mess,” said resident Priscilla Spiller, claiming that was the fourth night in a row wild hogs had dug up her front yard.
“It’s a very sad situation because they’re absolutely destroying the property,” she said.
Spiller and her neighbors believe 20 to 30 wild hogs live in a wooded area surrounding their subdivision in Spring.
Ken Henderson said one hog shows up at his house every day.
“We begin to see them come into our yard to tear up the gardens, so I’ve begun to see them gather around this bird feeder,” he said.
While people are aware that the wild hogs were there before the subdivision, animal experts say continued development will eventually push the wild hogs away.
“Remember to keep all food inside because if they find a food source at your home, they’re going to continue to hang around,” said Meena Nandlal with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
It’s advice residents say they already follow, but nothing seems to change.
“Every day, I’m having to replant, clean up, pick up pig droppings,” said resident Susie Savage.
“I have my little newborn baby,” said resident Ashlye Vulgamore. “They’re very aggressive, very dangerous and I do not want to get up close and personal with one.”
According to officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, it is legal to hunt and kill feral hogs, but there are specific restrictions. You must have a valid hunting license and you must follow local ordinances when it comes to firearms.
They also said that any wild animal has the potential of being dangerous, but feral hogs typically prefer to run and escape danger. If someone is cornered, the hogs’ razor-sharp tusks and speed could cause serious injury. In general, diseases from wild hogs do not pose a significant threat to humans.
The estimated population of feral hogs in Texas is in excess of 1.5 million.
This story was written with help from The Observer’s news partner KTRK TV. For a video report related to this article, go to www.abc13.com.
“We’re looking at a real mess,” said resident Priscilla Spiller, claiming that was the fourth night in a row wild hogs had dug up her front yard.
“It’s a very sad situation because they’re absolutely destroying the property,” she said.
Spiller and her neighbors believe 20 to 30 wild hogs live in a wooded area surrounding their subdivision in Spring.
Ken Henderson said one hog shows up at his house every day.
“We begin to see them come into our yard to tear up the gardens, so I’ve begun to see them gather around this bird feeder,” he said.
While people are aware that the wild hogs were there before the subdivision, animal experts say continued development will eventually push the wild hogs away.
“Remember to keep all food inside because if they find a food source at your home, they’re going to continue to hang around,” said Meena Nandlal with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
It’s advice residents say they already follow, but nothing seems to change.
“Every day, I’m having to replant, clean up, pick up pig droppings,” said resident Susie Savage.
“I have my little newborn baby,” said resident Ashlye Vulgamore. “They’re very aggressive, very dangerous and I do not want to get up close and personal with one.”
According to officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, it is legal to hunt and kill feral hogs, but there are specific restrictions. You must have a valid hunting license and you must follow local ordinances when it comes to firearms.
They also said that any wild animal has the potential of being dangerous, but feral hogs typically prefer to run and escape danger. If someone is cornered, the hogs’ razor-sharp tusks and speed could cause serious injury. In general, diseases from wild hogs do not pose a significant threat to humans.
The estimated population of feral hogs in Texas is in excess of 1.5 million.
This story was written with help from The Observer’s news partner KTRK TV. For a video report related to this article, go to www.abc13.com.
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