U.S., state agencies team to find roaming ‘wild hogs’
have said. Neighbors of the farm and state legislators have raised concerns that some of the pigs may have become feral. The farmer, Ryan Salvas, has been ticketed multiple times this year on charges of violating state law on roaming livestock, according to online court records. The latest charges came in mid-October, with eight citations for allowing roaming livestock, records show. Salvas could not be reached for comment.
Cooper said Tuesday that residents continue to complain about roaming cattle and pigs trampling and rooting up lawns and fields. He has been in regular contact with the state Department of Agriculture, but said Tuesday he had not been informed of the federal government’s involvement. Nevertheless, Cooper said, federal help is welcome.
Asked about the USDA’s role and whether loose pigs might be seized, Espinosa said, “At this point, we are just monitoring for the animals. We do ask that if anyone sees one, they contact our office at 866-487-3297 or at 413-253-2403.” State Agriculture Department spokesperson Rebecca Eddy said the investigation is ongoing and she could not comment further.
LaBonte focused his email on hunters who harvested deer in Sterling over the past two years.
“If you observe or have observed any of these pigs or what appears to be a pig rooting of vegetation, please send me an email with approximate date, location, and number of pigs you observed along with any photographs,” wrote.
LaBonte said Tuesday that he has received a couple of responses from hunters who sighted hogs in the woods. He said he is forwarding information to his superiors, but said he doubted the loose pigs were “true feral hogs.”
Wild hogs have wreaked millions of dollars in damage across at least 30 states, mostly in the South. The USDA’s latest distribution map, however, shows none of the feral swine in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Massachusetts. The closest population is in New Hampshire, according to the federal agency.
Connecticut law on roaming livestock states: “Any person who intentionally or recklessly releases a domestic animal that enters upon the real property of another person and causes damage to such real property in an amount in excess of one hundred dollars shall have committed an infraction.”
Sterling resident he
Michael
Grenier says the hogs have ruined his yard, which will cost an estimated $23,000 to replace. Grenier said Tuesday that he and several other neighbors have hired a lawyer in an attempt to recoup money for the damage.
Radical Roots Farm’s website says it raises livestock for meat without growth hormones, chemical fertilizers, or harmful pesticides. Regarding pigs, the page says the animals “naturally want to roam and root. Allowing them this option reduces their stress. They can forage for greens, roots, grubs, and nuts. Our pigs can snack on hog feed (local, non-GMO) but prefer other food sources, if available. We also feed them produce, and have added brewers grain to their diet, which they love.”
Cooper has said the farmer moved to town over two years ago. Not long thereafter, he says, cows got loose and damaged residential and farm land.