Elizabethtown Police Department releases information after reportedly euthanizing pig

ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Elizabethtown Police Department is sharing more information after it says officers euthanized a pig at the request of its owner.

According to a social media post by the agency, on Friday, Oct. 30, officers responded to the 400 block of Franklin Avenue regarding a pig that had escaped its enclosure.

Police say the animal, which had been owned by the same individual for nearly three years, had been the subject of multiple prior calls for service. During one previous incident, police say they were called to assist animal control to apprehend the animal.

Officers say the animal was aggressive toward them and animal control personnel at that time.

During another incident, police say they responded at the owner’s request but were unable to capture the animal. At a separate time, authorities say the owner called 911 requesting officers shoot the pig as he was unable to keep it contained.

Last Friday, authorities say they were contacted by a third-party citizen reporting the pig was in their yard.

Police say the pig’s owner again confirmed he wanted them to euthanize it.

Before this occurred, officers say they explored alternatives, including trying to find someone willing to take possession of the pig. Officers say those efforts were unsuccessful.

After exhausting all reasonable alternatives, police say the pig was euthanized.

According to the police department, a miscommunication took place between officers and dispatch regarding the removal of the animal’s remains. Officers say they initially asked city crews to respond to remove the remains. Following this request, authorities say another conversation occurred regarding the possibility of a citizen harvesting the meat, which mistakenly resulted in a dispatcher believing other arrangements had been made.

Police say those arrangements had not been finalized.

As a result, the remains were not removed until the following day, authorities say.

Additional details have not been released at this time.