Rescue on the ‘Pig’ Sioux River

This story has been updated with more information on the pig’s health.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — It wasn’t your typical water rescue near Falls Park in downtown Sioux Falls.

Around 11 a.m. Thursday, animal control was called in to rescue a runaway pig stranded on a sandbar on the Big Sioux River. Sioux Falls Fire Rescue was called in to help.

“Obviously with the running water, we weren’t able to walk out there safely,” Animal Control Supervisor Patty Beckman said. “We had fire rescue come out and they had one of their little blow up boats and then we were able to get out there that way with our nets to catch the little guy.”

On Friday, Beckman said the pig is doing okay, but has a minor injury to his ear and a swollen eye. She said if no one claims the animal before Sunday afternoon, a few animal sanctuaries have reached out and said they would take him.

Heather Powell said she was driving by the river around 10 a.m. when she spotted the pig and called animal control.

“I just happened to look down and I was like, ‘Honey, there’s a pig down there,'” Powell told KELOLAND News.

Beckman said the pig looks to be about four to five months old. At this time, they don’t know who the animal belongs too, but confirmed it is not from Smithfield, a nearby meatpacking plant.

“The pig does not have any identification on it and we did contact Smithfield and they said that it was not their pig or they didn’t have any loose pigs at the time,” Beckman said. “At this point, we’re just treating it as a stray animal.”

The pig will remain in animal control’s custody for 72 hours to monitor its health and to wait for an owner. Beckman said if nobody claims the pig, it will be turned over to the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society.

“Typically with the livestock, if nobody claims the animal, then one of the staff will take the animal home,” she said.

Beckman said if anyone believes the pig is theirs, they can call animal control at 605-367-7000 and provide photos or other document proof that they own the pig.

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