Two dark-coated pigs have been trotting across front lawns and open fields in Colonial Hills, freezing Northside neighbors in their tracks and kicking off a block-by-block debate over whether they are dangerous wild hogs or somebody’s escaped pets. Residents pulled out their phones and captured video of the pair as the animals wandered near neighborhood streets just north of Loop 410.
Neighbors Swap Videos, Argue Over Pet Or Pest
Some neighbors insist the pair are Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs that belong to a nearby home, while others are convinced they are feral swine that residents say can be aggressive. "They will fight, [and] they will attack you," neighbor Michael Conner warned, as reported by MySA.
Wild Hogs Can Pass For Pets And Roam In Family Packs
Experts note that feral hogs can look a lot like domestic pigs, although they tend to be leaner, with coarse, bristly hair and longer tusks, and they often travel in family groups known as "sounders." The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also warns that these invasive animals reproduce rapidly and can cause serious damage to yards, parks and crops, which has made urban sightings increasingly common, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
City Code Says No Swine Inside San Antonio City Limits
San Antonio's municipal code makes it unlawful to keep or maintain swine - including pot-bellied pigs - inside city limits, and violations are handled as Class C misdemeanors with fines that average around $300. Local reporting notes that Animal Care Services has repeatedly picked up stray pigs and that the city will house seized animals until they can be relocated outside city limits, as reported by KSAT.
See Pigs Around Town? City Says Do Not Play Wrangler
Animal Care Services urges residents not to approach or try to corral unfamiliar pigs. Feral hogs are highly intelligent and can shift to a nocturnal schedule, which makes trapping them a challenge. Instead, the city recommends calling 3-1-1 or ACS customer service at 210-207-6000, or the wildlife rescue hotline at 830-336-2725 for after-hours emergencies, per San Antonio Animal Care Services.
Colonial Hills Keeps Watching As Pig Mystery Drags On
For now, Colonial Hills residents are keeping a close eye on their front yards and trading fresh video clips with neighbors and local reporters as the tug-of-war over whether the animals are pets or wild hogs continues. Neighborhood coverage from MySA features several of the circulating videos and reminds readers to report sightings instead of approaching unknown swine.
