Dallas City Council commits $284,700 to getting rid of feral hogs that invade the city.

 

By Scott K. Parks
sparks@dallasnews.com
August 14, 2013


Feral hogs right here in Big D (Ben Sandifer)

It’s not that unusual to see a coyote loping along a creek in the northern part of Dallas County. In southern Dallas County, particularly along the creeks that feed the Trinity River, feral hogs are a common sight.

The Dallas City Council approved a 3-year contract Wednesday to spend up $284,000 for feral hog control and abatement. The ward went to Osvaldo Rojas, who runs a company called City Trapping.

Feral hogs are a problem because they eat anything — flowers and ornamental plants– and because they can be aggressive if challenged. They also are just plain scary-looking — Porky Pig in a monster costume.

Council Member Scott Griggs said feral hogs have been seen in Kiest Park in Oak Cliff and are considered a nuisance. Some people say the hog meat can be good to eat. But it depends on what they themselves have been eating.

Feral hogs are a problem throughout rural Texas. Ranchers call them animal weeds because they tear up fences, root around in crops and even eat newborn calves and sheep.

Some trappers gather up enough hogs to load them up in a gooseneck trailer and haul them to a specialty meat slaughterhouse. I wouldn’t be surprised if feral hog meat didn’t end up on the menu of some high-class restaurants. They could call the entree “Medallions of Wild Boar” and charge $30 a plate.

http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/dallas-city-council-commits-284700-to-getting-rid-of-feral-hogs-that-invade-the-city-they-are-ugly-critters.html/