SPRING, Texas – A peculiar problem is plaguing residents in northwest Harris County: pigs on the loose and they’re outsmarting attempts to catch them.
Residents of the Louetta Lakes neighborhood have reached their breaking point as the porcine troublemakers continue to tear up yards and flower beds throughout their neighborhood.
The situation has become so dire that the homeowners association reached out to KPRC 2 for help through social media.
“I think they’re cute too, but it’s not cute when they start doing a lot of property damage,” said Mark Smith, HOA President of Oaks of Devonshire and Louetta Lakes.
The extent of destruction is evident throughout the neighborhood, with torn up lawns and damaged landscaping marking the pigs’ path.
“The people over there are just really, really tired of their yards getting torn up,” Smith explained.
A Wild Pig Chase
KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding’s investigation into the matter took an unexpected turn when the elusive pigs made an appearance while working on the story.
The animals, proving to be surprisingly swift, led our camera crew on a chase through neighborhood streets before disappearing into nearby woods.
Bureaucratic Dead Ends
The community’s attempts to resolve the situation through official channels have hit multiple roadblocks:
- Harris County Animal Services says they don’t handle pig related issues
- The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Livestock Unit can’t assist with pigs, a spokesperson says
- Texas Parks and Wildlife “does not manage or regulate feral hogs.”
Owner Claims Pigs Are Too Clever
The investigation led to the pigs’ owner, who offered a surprising explanation for why the animals remain at large.
“You can try to trap them, but the problem is they done been in traps so many times, they know what a trap is,” the owner told KPRC 2.
Ongoing Challenge
Even though the pigs were chased into the woods for the day, the larger issue remains unresolved. The HOA faces limited options: either pay for professional trapping services or continue working with the owner to find a solution.
“We contacted everybody we know to contact and they just keep coming back,” Smith said, highlighting the community’s frustration with the recurring problem.
For now, the damaged yards and torn up ground near the woodline serve as evidence of the ongoing battle between Louetta Lakes residents and their unwanted yet surprisingly clever visitors.