Feral Hogs Attacked and Killed a Woman on Her Way to Work in Texas
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
A woman in Texas was found dead outside the home of an elderly couple she cared for after being attacked by a group of feral hogs on Sunday morning.
The victim, 59-year-old Christine Rollins, arrived at work in the rural southeast Texan town of Anahuac around 6 a.m. on Sunday when it was still dark. The 84-year-old homeowner found Rollins’ body lying in the front yard when he looked outside after she didn’t arrive at their door for work.
Police were called and initially considered the possibility that Rollins had died of a medical condition before her body was discovered by the feral hogs.
However, an autopsy Monday confirmed the cause of death as loss of blood “ due to feral hog assault ,” Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne told reporters during a news conference.
“It looks like she got out of her car and locked it,” Hawthorne said. “[She] was probably trying to make her way to the front door when, it appears, these animals must have come along.”
The medical examination found that Rollins was attacked by “multiple hogs” based on the various size of the bites on her body.
“There is no question in the medical examiner's mind that this was feral hogs that caused her death," Hawthorne said, adding: “In my 35 years, I will tell you it's one of the worst things I've ever seen.”
READ: Feral hogs are tearing up Texas. so people are shooting them from helicopters
Feral hogs have taken over some pasture land around the home, Hawthorne said, adding that they are a problem throughout Chambers County. Attacks on humans, however, are extremely rare.
Feral hogs are one of the most destructive invasive species in the U.S. and have long been a problem for Texas farmers.
The hogs cause roughly $1.5 billion in damage each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tearing up crops and property, eating endangered species, and spreading diseases to livestock and humans.
The USDA estimates there are about 6 million hogs across the U.S. and approximately half of them live in Texas.
The problem is so great that in 2011 the state made it legal for helicopter companies to take anyone — even tourists — hunting for feral hogs.
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It sounds like something from a horror movie.
The location
Assuming the picture is accurate it doesn't look like she was that far from their front door. Surprised they didn't hear anything.
Sounds like Texas needs to start putting bounties on feral hogs. That would help get their population under control.
In my sheltered suburban life, I did not realize this was such a big deal.
30 to 50 feral hogs, explained
Way back in the 60's feral dog packs were a problem around Gettysburg where we had family hunting cabins.
You could not go fishing or walking without a rifle and they were all fair game, year round. Now that that 'problem' is long gone, guess what?
They have a feral hog problem in the 10 counties that share a border with WV and MD.
Same as in TX, there is no bag limit, no license required, just have them tested before trying to eat them, or they will be donated to Purina.
They have feral hog hunts in Florida too.
This happened about a month ago.
Don’t mess with the hogs!!