Potbellied pigs, emaciated horses rescued
Two organizations are trying to help a pair of potbellied pigs and three horses after Cook County Animal and Rabies Control rescued them Thursday morning from a farm near Sauk Village.
The South Suburban Humane Society in Chicago Heights took in the pigs, Cindy Lou and Martha May Who, while Tinley Park’s Forest View Farms is caring for the horses.
“The horses are in pretty bad shape and are seeing the vet this morning, so we will know more about what route to take in their rehab,” Terry Wenninger, manager of Forest View Farms, said Friday. “We don’t anticipate this being an easy fix as they all are in horrible shape.”
William La Rue, 63, of the 500 block of South 219th Street in Sauk Village, was charged with three counts of animal cruelty and three counts violation of owner’s duties, all misdemeanors, according to a news release from the Cook County sheriff ’s office.
Police said they had been notified by animal control about the poor condition of horses found in a barn on La Rue’s property. Police said they found the horses underweight, with no food and a frozen source of water.
La Rue turned himself in to police Thursday, according to the sheriff ’s office. He is scheduled to appear Jan. 24 at the Cook County courthouse in Markham.
The pigs are doing well, according to Emily Klehm, CEO of the humane society. Potbellied pigs, she said, are not built to be outside in the cold. They were found on the farm in a trailer with no heat or electricity, and nowhere to go, Klehm said. But they are bouncing back in their temporary home.
“Pigs are pretty resilient,” she said. Klehm said animal control was initially called for loose pigs in the area. Wenninger, in a GoFundMe post, called what they found a “very neglectful home.” Klehm said the owner of the property signed over the animals. She said other animals on the property, including horses the owner was boarding for others, were in good condition as well as dogs, which the owner agreed to bring inside.
Forest View Farms often takes in livestock from Cook County. Though the South Suburban Humane Society has a contract with Cook County and other municipalities to take in lost, abandoned or rescued
animals, potbellied pigs — which are considered pets, rather than livestock — do not normally come into the facility.
“It’s only happened one time before in my 14-year history,” Klehm said.
Last time, a potbellied pig was found wandering in a forest preserve in Cook County, Klehm said.
“To have them rescued from a place is unusual,” she said.
Because the humane society does not have a ready-made area for pigs, the animals spent most of Thursday in the facility’s front lobby. By that evening, staff rearranged space in a dog isolation area where they could be kept for the night, Klehm said.
Cindy Lou is spotted, while Martha May has darker coloring. They are both about 1 year old. Cindy Lou is outgoing and loves treats, Klehm said. She called Martha May comparatively shy, but she gains confidence when Cindy Lou is around. The pigs are “bonded sisters,” according to the humane society, which is looking for someone willing to adopt both.
“If you watch them together, you see how important Cindy Lou is to Martha,” Klehm said. “Hopefully we can get them moved out soon to a good home.”
Those interested in adopting the pigs can email megan@southsuburbanhumane.org. But Klehm said would-be adopters need to know what they are getting into, starting with the fact that the pigs are 150 to 200 pounds apiece. Because of their size, they go through a lot of food.
“It’s not a small pet to welcome into your home,” she said. “They definitely need space. … It’s not a small cost to have a potbellied pig in your house.
Some people also think pigs just lay around and do nothing, but they need stimulation, including activities and toys. Thursday, staff at the humane society turned cardboard boxes into rooting boxes, using newspapers to hide treats inside them.
“They loved that,” Klehm said. “Pigs are really smart, and they will create mischief ”
Wenninger said the farm is open to offering the horses for adoption when they are ready, but Forest View is also prepared to give them forever homes if adoption is not an option. In the meantime, a GoFundMe page has been set up to help with the feed costs the farm expects to incur, which Wenninger said are huge.
The good news, Wenninger said, is that following a check from the veterinarian Friday morning, the horses just appear to be malnourished but not sick beyond that. The aim is to get the horses back to a healthy weight and provide the medical attention they require, according to Wenninger.
“They should be OK, God willing,” she said. “They’re pretty far down. It’s hard to bring horses back, but two of them are young and hopefully they’ll come back a little quicker than the old one.”
Forest View Farms is caring for three other rescued horses, one of which requires specialized hoof and medical care.
The South Suburban Humane Society is still facing more intake than adoptions and has been operating at capacity. The Bissell Pet Foundation is sponsoring an Empty the Shelters event through Dec. 23, in which adoptions of adult dogs and cats, kittens, and puppies are just $25.
“We’re really hoping that helps to make a difference in the next couple of weeks before Christmas,” Klehm said.
The South Suburban Humane Society remains in need of supplies, such as paper towels, dishwashing detergent and dog and cat food. To help the South Suburban Humane Society with expenses, go to southsuburbanhumane.org/donate.