Owner of guinea pig killed in Reedley gifted 2 more
REEDLEY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – After his guinea pig was kicked to death by a 12-year-old in Reedley, Oswaldo Sandoval says he is grateful for the outpouring of support from the local community – which included a donation of two new guinea pigs over the weekend.
Video from a doorbell security camera released earlier this month showed a juvenile chasing a chicken and attempting to kick it. After the chicken is seen running away, the juvenile’s attention goes toward the guinea pigs in the cage on the lawn. The juvenile can be seen in the video kicking the guinea pig who, according to the homeowner, died after the incident.
Surviving guinea pig could die of depression after other kicked to death in Reedley, owner says
After hearing what happened, the O’Neil family wanted to help. Allison and her parents raise and show guinea pigs and she says she was devastated when she heard about the Sandoval family’s loss. She reached out to offer Oswaldo two of their guinea pigs.
“I feel so much better to know that there’s a community that actually looks out for people and is willing to help,” said Oswaldo.
Oswaldo warned that guinea pigs can get depressed when there is only one of them, and can even end up dying as a result of that loneliness. He is now taking extra precautions to make sure something like this does not happen again.
“We’re going to be outside. Just watching them. And we’ll also have our window wide open so we can just watch them from the inside as well.”
He recommends people who have guinea pigs never leave them alone.
“Don’t leave them outside alone. We learned that the hard way. Even if they are in a cage, keep an eye on them at all times.”
He says he is thankful for the support from the community, and that the family is doing better since the incident. He is also thankful to the family who donated the guinea pigs to him.
“Thank you guys so much. They’ve really been enjoying it.”
