"Cumming Man Arrested For Cruel Hog Tying"

You won't read this in the news because it doesn't seem newsworthy to many people. Pigs, hogs, who really cares anyway? 

Actually, contrary to some people's belief, animals do matter to many Americans. 

Here at SaveTheHorses.org rescue farm, animal lovers come together to help horses and other animals in need. A few weeks ago, my neighbor, Al, stopped by to ask if we saw the pig tied near the road about a mile away. We all piled in the truck, grabbed a crate and drove down to see what was going on. I thought someone may have found a pet pot belly pig and tied him for safe keeping so the owner could find him. That seemed like a reasonable thought. 

When we got there on this very hot and sunny afternoon, we found something horrible. Here was a 250 pound female hog, tied very tightly with hay strings by both back legs, to a telephone pole. No shade, no water, no food and no way to get away from dogs or coyotes. She would have been eaten alive. She was gasping air because she was dehydrated and over heated. She was already suffering. The hay strings were so tight on her back legs, the were swollen into her skin. This wasn't a Good Samaritan trying to help a lost pig, this was animal abuse. 

I called 911, this was serious. A few minutes later a Deputy from Forsyth County Animal Control came to help. We called on a neighbor to bring some water. She drank and drank some more. Then we poured water into the small whole she was digging for herself to try to escape the burning down rays of the sun. She wallowed in the cool water and mud mix as we got the crate ready to get her out of her predicament.  The Deputy was appalled by the blatant abuse as we were. He took a snare out of his truck and was able to hold the pig so we could get her legs cut from the pole but we couldn't relieve the pain from the strings. They were tied too tight. Once in the crate, we all helped carry it to his truck. The Deputy took her to the vet to have the strings cut off safely. He was going to find out who had purposely created such an act of cruelty. 

The pig has been in custody of animal control and the abuser was arrested yesterday. This was not his first abuse arrest. That is such good news for all of us here at SaveTheHorses farm. We do care about all animals. Did it make headlines? Not to my knowledge but it made us happy to know the authorities did see this abuse as important. Thank you to Deputy McKinzie for his detective work and persistence in making an arrest.

Now the question is how do we change the animal world? Why do some people not see it as abuse?  Each of us has to become a humane educator. Imagine a world more compassionate, not only to animals but to other humans as well. People who care are kinder, others learn and follow your example. You are teaching the world everyday, keep your compassion going. You are the difference.