Wednesday in Oklahoma City came with a sideshow straight out of a farmyard, as multiple 911 calls reported a hog hoofing it through several neighborhoods and into city streets. Police officers rushed out but could not wrangle the animal, and OKC Animal Welfare ultimately stepped in, captured it and got it secured. The short-lived chase still managed to turn heads from passing drivers and draw a few curious onlookers while crews worked the scene, as reported by KOKH.
According to KOKH, officers responded to several calls about the loose hog before Animal Welfare apprehended it. The station published a photo gallery that shows police and animal-welfare personnel on site, with images credited to the Oklahoma City Police Department.
Animal Control Steps In
City officials emphasize that loose or injured animals are a job for trained animal-welfare officers, not well-meaning residents. The city discourages people from trying to catch livestock on their own, especially when traffic is involved. As noted by the City of Oklahoma City, Animal Welfare dispatch can be reached at (405) 297-2255, and field officers respond to animal complaints throughout the metro.
Not an Isolated Incident
Houdini-style livestock is not exactly unheard of around Oklahoma City. Last year, KOCO released video of officers cornering a loose cow on Interstate 40 as crews worked to get it off the roadway. In a separate episode, officers found themselves tracking a runaway horse that wandered through local neighborhoods, coverage that KFOR via Yahoo noted as another example of police and animal-control teams handling four-legged emergencies that turn bigger than expected.
What To Do If You Spot a Loose Animal
City guidance is straightforward. For stray or injured animals, residents are urged to call Animal Welfare dispatch at (405) 297-2255. If the animal poses an immediate danger to people or traffic, the advice is to dial 911, according to the City of Oklahoma City. The city notes that trained officers have the equipment and protocols needed to secure livestock safely.
Initial reports did not include information about the hog's owner or where the animal ended up after its capture, and officials had not released any further details at the time of the initial coverage.
