Chaos erupts as bear breaks through fence and tries to eat pet pig, Florida cops say

A pet pig narrowly escaped being eaten when a hungry bear broke through a family’s fence in Florida and began chasing it around their yard, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

It happened around 10:22 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22, near Davenport, and the pig survived only because its owner scared the bear away, the sheriff’s office told McClatchy News. Davenport is about 35 miles southwest of Orlando.

“A resident within the Tanglewood Preserve subdivision ... reported that a bear had broken through her vinyl fence and attempted to get the woman’s pet pig,” the sheriff’s office said.

“The bear’s attempted pignapping was thwarted by the resident and by the time deputies arrived, the bear was gone.”

Deputies stayed nearby as the fence was repaired, fearing the bear might ”make a second attempt to poach the pig.” However, it did not reappear.

Bears are native to Florida and typically shun human interaction. However, Florida’s construction boom has resulted in neighbors sharing a back fence with areas populated by bears, alligators and other predators, experts say.

Tanglewood Preserve began construction of homes in 2018 and continues to be bordered on two sides by forested areas, maps show.

“Due to increased land development encroaching upon the habitat of wild animals, their habitat is being altered, including their food supply,” the sheriff’s office said.

“Black bears have been known to prey upon feral pigs in the wild. ... Be cautious with your pets (dogs, cats, and yes, even pigs) in your yard.”

This story was originally published August 23, 2023 at 12:44 PM with the headline "Chaos erupts as bear breaks through fence and tries to eat pet pig, Florida cops say."