Two dogs attack prized pig, Mrs. Oinkerson

Posted: Jun 14, 2012 10:48 PM by Hope Hanselman, KSBY News
Updated: Jun 15, 2012 2:43 PM

Michael Barca and his brothers have been raising their three little pigs, Mrs. Fluffertons, Mrs. Oinkerson and Sheila, since March.

They were all set to show at the Santa Barbara County Fair, just three weeks away. All their hard work was about to pay off.

But Monday brought a turn of events; and this year, Michael will be empty-handed at the fair.

"I'm really devastated about what happened to my pig," Michael said.

Two loose dogs attacked 250-pound Mrs. Oinkerson. They dug through a hole in the pen. A neighbor heard the attack and pulled the dogs off the sow.

Michael's pig had a deep gash across her neck. She died hours after the attack from stress.

"She was looking to be a grand champion," said Hannah Barca, Michael's mother. "She was a big, big beautiful pig."

With one dog still at large, the family is guarding the pen closely, scared it might happen again.

"In this situation we're having officers assigned to the area doing some patrols, looking to see if we can find that animal," said Eric Anderson, Manager of San Luis Obispo County Animal Services.

Anderson admits they may never find the dog.

"If an animal is running at large, loose and then leaves the area, often times it may be difficult to find the animal again."

For now, Michael is trying to see the silver lining.

"My pig saved the other two pigs. Because if my pig pen wasn't here, that pig would have died," he said.

Michael says he hopes he can still participate in the Santa Barbara County Fair. His brother broke his ankle Tuesday and also planned to show a pig that he's now unable to, so Michael hopes he can get approval to show that pig instead. But he lost all the money he put into raising his own animal.

The family met the owner of one of the dogs Wednesday night. They say he offered to pay the vet costs. But, Michael still wants closure in knowing the other dog is put away.

Animal Services is asking for help looking for a Brindle Pitbull. They say it's light brown with wrinkly skin and erect ears.