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Tuesday August 27
Large ruts and torn up grass is all that is left of some Kings Point subdivision residents’ yards. They are being terrorized by a herd of wild hogs. Residents along Soaring Pines Drive in the subdivision have had numerous problems with the feral hogs including them destroying yards, damaging their homes and even chasing a few of the residents when they were putting out their trash. This is not the only portion of the community having issues with feral hogs as several other Kings Point residents and places like the Kingwood Country Club have reported damage by feral hogs.
Now the residents are even more worried that they may hurt someone on the greenbelt especially children who are walking to school.
“We have talked to everyone that we can and no one can help us,” said Kings Point resident Nancy Schopman. “They have been on my property numerous times and they tore up my whole yard. I have seen them mostly in the early morning hours which have me very concerned since kids will be back in school and walking the greenbelts to make it to the school.”
The residents first reached out to the Kings Point Community Association and were referred to their management company, Sterling Association Management who acknowledged they had received several calls but could not comment any further when the Observer called them for comment.
They also called the City of Houston to inquire about trapping the feral hogs or what they could do to get rid of the nuisance animals. In general, diseases from wild hogs do not pose a significant threat to humans; however, some diseases can be transmitted to livestock and wildlife.
“We understand there have been several cases recently of these animals being destructive in the Kingwood area,” said Lauren Doak with Houston City Council Member Dave Martin’s office when asked about the feral hogs. “Unfortunately, the city of Houston does not handle this sort of issue. This is a Texas Parks and Wildlife issue.”
According to information concerning feral hogs from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, feral hogs may appear basically the same as domestic hogs and will vary in color and coat pattern. A mature feral hog may reach a shoulder height of 36 inches and weigh from 100 to over 400 pounds.
Several of the residents have spent their own money to hire trappers where they have successfully trapped at least five of the feral hogs and one reportedly weighed in close to 200 pounds.
They also expressed concerns about the rate at which the feral hogs can reproduce meaning there would be even more to deal with if they did not do something soon to rid the area of the hogs.
“Not sure what you can do about them other than contacting Texas Parks and Wildlife for they are a danger to children, pets and probably adults, too. They obviously are destroying properties,” said Bob Jee, a neighbor of Schopman and resident.
Feral hogs are capable of breeding at six months of age but eight to ten months is normal, provided there is good nutrition. Trapping is a common method utilized by sportsmen and landowners to control and move hogs out of an area where they do not belong or have become a nuisance.
“We have got to do something before someone gets hurt or bad happens,” Schopman said.
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/kingwood-residents-terrorized-by-herds-of-feral-hogs/article_ecd4c017-2fcd-5e80-b992-fffea3932f8a.html
Now the residents are even more worried that they may hurt someone on the greenbelt especially children who are walking to school.
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| Large ruts and torn up grass is all that is left of some Kings Point subdivision yards. |
The residents first reached out to the Kings Point Community Association and were referred to their management company, Sterling Association Management who acknowledged they had received several calls but could not comment any further when the Observer called them for comment.
They also called the City of Houston to inquire about trapping the feral hogs or what they could do to get rid of the nuisance animals. In general, diseases from wild hogs do not pose a significant threat to humans; however, some diseases can be transmitted to livestock and wildlife.
“We understand there have been several cases recently of these animals being destructive in the Kingwood area,” said Lauren Doak with Houston City Council Member Dave Martin’s office when asked about the feral hogs. “Unfortunately, the city of Houston does not handle this sort of issue. This is a Texas Parks and Wildlife issue.”
According to information concerning feral hogs from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, feral hogs may appear basically the same as domestic hogs and will vary in color and coat pattern. A mature feral hog may reach a shoulder height of 36 inches and weigh from 100 to over 400 pounds.
Several of the residents have spent their own money to hire trappers where they have successfully trapped at least five of the feral hogs and one reportedly weighed in close to 200 pounds.
They also expressed concerns about the rate at which the feral hogs can reproduce meaning there would be even more to deal with if they did not do something soon to rid the area of the hogs.
“Not sure what you can do about them other than contacting Texas Parks and Wildlife for they are a danger to children, pets and probably adults, too. They obviously are destroying properties,” said Bob Jee, a neighbor of Schopman and resident.
Feral hogs are capable of breeding at six months of age but eight to ten months is normal, provided there is good nutrition. Trapping is a common method utilized by sportsmen and landowners to control and move hogs out of an area where they do not belong or have become a nuisance.
“We have got to do something before someone gets hurt or bad happens,” Schopman said.
http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/atascocita/news/kingwood-residents-terrorized-by-herds-of-feral-hogs/article_ecd4c017-2fcd-5e80-b992-fffea3932f8a.html
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