No happy ending for pot-bellied pig discovered in Harwich, said Animal Control officer

Harwich Animal Control is investigating the death of a pot-bellied pig whose emaciated body was found in a remote area of town earlier this week.

The female adult pig was significantly underweight at just 35 pounds, was emaciated and "generally just not cared for," said Harwich Animal Control Officer Jennifer Harrington.

"It's not a happy story," said Harrington. "The pig was dumped in deplorable conditions."

A community member called in a report about the abandoned animal on Monday. The caller said she heard the pig while it was alive, but when she eventually found it the animal was dead, Harrington said.

Harrington did not identify the person making the report.

As part of an ongoing investigation, Animal Control is working with a forensics team to identify the pig's cause of death. They are also investigating the circumstances surrounding her death and who its owners might be.

"If there's any information that anyone has, about a family who may have had a pot-bellied pig that you have not seen with them recently, or have any information you would like to share, please call Harwich Animal Control or Dennis Animal Control," said Harrington.

Where was the pig found?

Harrington said the pig was found in a remote area in Harwich. Because the investigation is ongoing, Harrington did not identify the precise area.

It's possible the pig was owned by someone in a different town, but the location of the pig indicates that a person familiar with the area left her there. Harrington said Animal Control officers checked with area farms to see if they were missing a pig, or if a pig, who had recently been abused, had been rehomed or fostered.

"Some people just get panicked if their pig has a medical condition and then it dies," said Harrington. "But this was definitely not the way to go about it."

Do many Cape Codders own pot-bellied pigs?

Pot-bellied pigs make amazing pets, said Harrington, because they are very intelligent and easy to train.

"We are seeing more families who have pot-bellied pigs as pets," she said.

In the Cape area, most families who have the pigs keep them in their homes, she said. Animal Control officers do routine inspections to make sure the pets are being cared for properly, she said.

"We just make sure their living conditions are adequate," Harrington said.

What are the biggest misconceptions about pot-bellied pigs?

"Their size," said Harrington, is the biggest misconception. The animals can grow to 200 to 300 pounds, she said.

Pig breeders are often untruthful about the size of pot-bellied pigs and convince many families that "teacup" pot-bellied pigs exist, said Susan Magidson, founder of Ross Mill Farms' Pig Placement Network, an adoption and foster service for pet pigs in Jamison, Pennsylvania.

"They tell people that the pigs will only grow to the size of a guinea pig and that's just not true," said Magidson.

"The smallest pigs that are healthy weigh between 80 to 100 pounds," she said.

Pot-bellied pigs are also prone to obesity.

"Many people aren't sure how to manage pigs behavior and what their basic needs are," she said. "There's a lot of misleading information which leads to difficulties when families are navigating pig parenting."

Just how intelligent are pigs?

Cats and dogs are smart, said Magidson. But pigs, she said, have been scientifically proven to be as intelligent as three-year-old children.

"A lot of their problems are because of the level of their intelligence and need for stimulation," she said.

Not only do pigs have a long memory, said Magidson, it takes a fraction of the time to train a pot-bellied pig as it does to train a dog.

"We use clicker training. And they catch on extremely quickly," said Magidson. "They experience joy, pain, sadness, and rejection."

They are also stubborn and will throw tantrums if they are asked to do a task they don't want to do. But the animals' emotions and their ability to interact are why owners love their pet pigs so much.

"I've heard lots of people say that they've never had such a profound grief as they do when they lose a pig," said Magidson.

Is pot-bellied pig ownership legal in Massachusetts?

For Magidson, who has been rehoming and rehabilitating pet pigs for about 33 years, zoning regulations are one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to pig adoption. If a potential pig owner lives in a city not zoned for agriculture, pet pigs aren't always welcome, she said. Smaller towns often have vague zoning regulations when it comes to companion pigs.

"Zoning regulations are often not written clearly so we are fighting zoning battles on a regular basis," she said.

But as the fight continues, she said her organization is finding more success stories.

"Towns and municipalities are accepting the fact that pigs are excellent pets — and that's because they are," said Magidson.

Pet pigs are "dawn to dusk animals" and can sleep up to 20 hours a day, said Magidson . But they should also be allotted outdoor time to graze, and grow, she said. An apartment, she said, isn't ideal for pet pigs. Landlords, she said, are cool to the idea.

What to consider when adopting a pig

Families should familiarize themselves with expenses, costs to care for a pig, and medical facilities in the area.

"There are dog and cat rescues in every town. But pet pigs require one-of-a-kind facilities," she said.

United States Department of Agriculture restrictions and zoning regulations are also aspects to consider with pig adoption. But the most important thing a family can do, said Magidson, is educate themselves on the unique aspects of pig care. The Pig Placement Network often sees pigs harmed, abused and neglected because families don't know how to care for them, she said.

"We do see abuse. Deliberate abuse and dumping out of frustration," said Magidson. "Pigs are unique and there is an educational process. .... Not every pig will be the best pig for you."

If you have any information on the pot-bellied pig that was found dead in Harwich, call Harwich Animal Control 508-310-4424; or Dennis Animal Control 774-352-1400.

Rachael Devaney writes about community and culture. Reach her at rdevaney@capecodonline.com. Follow her on Twitter: @RachaelDevaney.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Harwich investigates after pot-bellied pig found dead in remote area