Rampaging Wild Hogs In Florida Neighborhood Threaten Trick-Or-Treaters [Video]

Wild hogs are running amok in the Sawgrass at Suntree neighborhood just north of Melbourne, Florida. Not the motorcycle version of wild hogs, like the 2007 John Travolta and Tim Allen comedy. These are nasty beasts weighing up to 350 pounds that are digging up massive holes in lawns, soiling everywhere, and wreaking havoc in the streets, according to New York Daily News.

The neighborhood fears that if the wild hogs smell the Halloween candy that people leave on their doorsteps for trick-or-treaters, or even the candy being carried around from door to door, that they could attack the children. According to 97X, the wild hogs have become addicted to candy and human food, making trick-or-treating potentially dangerous.

UPI reports that the community’s homeowner’s association is considering canceling trick-or-treating unless they get the problem under control. The community has brought in James Dean, a licensed wildlife trapper, who has set up traps to capture as many of the wild hogs as possible.

Dean says the wild hogs, which have already torn up seventeen lawns, cause problems every year in the area, as he reveals to Florida Today.

“This year is the worst I’ve ever seen.”

Dean explains that the hogs are mainly seen at dusk (which is trick-or-treating time) or at dawn.

“Pigs are coming out of the woods and going into the street. They are going after grub worms.”

So far, according to Florida Today, Dean has trapped eight hogs, and plans to catch more with the additional traps he has set up throughout the neighborhood. The wild hogs have even caused serious car crashes, making this a serious issue.

Resident Karyn Cole told Florida Today that the hogs had “done some rooting in her yard but not as much as on some of her neighbors lawns.”

“They’ve dug up a bit. And I’ve seen them on the street at dusk.”

Cole says her children are too young to be outside alone, but has heard that some of the hogs are extremely large — which could be dangerous for small children. Although Dean is doing his best with the traps, he is somewhat limited by what he can do because the community is right next to a wildlife area.

Dean tells UPI that he has one final trick up his sleeve if all else fails in deterring these beasts.

“What we’ll do is come in Wednesday or Thursday with a pack of dogs that will actually catch the hogs and at least scare them further away from the residents around here.”

Florida Today asked Dean if he had any advice to anyone if they happen to see one of these wild hogs. Dean recommended to go the opposite direction — especially if it is a mother with babies. Her instinct will be to protect her young.

Dean says there is also what is called a “cutter” that comes out of a male boar’s head, which he uses to dig, but can also be used as a weapon because they are so sharp. Dean says they can cut you and kill you. Do not approach a wild hog.

Hopefully, the problem will be resolved over the next few days so the children can be out on Halloween without fearing the hogs.

[Photo Credit: NYDailyNews.com]