An elderly woman was found killed on Christmas day and partially devoured by livestock after discovering a pig had made its way into her home, police believe.
The mauled body of Rebecca Westergaard Rigney, 75, was discovered on the steps of her home in Pataskala, rural Ohio, after her niece raised the alarm on December 25 last year. Emergency personnel found Ms Rigney, who lived alone, dead, after they arrived at the property to perform a wellness check, reports the Mirror.
They found Ms Rigney’s legs had been injured – and that a pig had made its way into her home. Police are now investigating whether the animal was responsible for her death, with a neighbour told to quarantine her own pigs after a further two were found at their home.
Rigney died from bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries caused by livestock animals, the local Licking County Coroner’s Office concluded. The office found she had prior health conditions, and ultimately ruled her death accidental, but the news has rattled people living in Ms Rigney’s usually quiet neighbourhood.
Among them is David Mullings, who said he was shocked and “very confused” by the news that authorities are considering the pig-related cause. He said: “It was pretty crazy, wild because there’s not just wild pigs roaming. I’ve never seen pigs except for the market down the street so…very confusing.”
Mr Mullings added: “This is a very quiet neighbourhood. Nothing happens in this neighbourhood.” David Hanson, who delivers packages to the neighbourhood, said the news was “a little shocking”. He said: “I was shocked just to hear that two pigs had possibly killed a woman. It was a little shocking.”
While police have confirmed they are investigating the death as a possible pig killing, police chief Bruce Brooks said his department doesn’t yet have all the information about her death. He said additional information would be available once a full autopsy is available in between four to six weeks.
In a statement, the chief said the case was a “horrible, horrible situation”, adding police would continue to investigate the incident. Ohio does not have any clear legislation on attacks by farm animals, with most legislation regarding attacks in the state primarily focused on dogs.
Speaking to Dispatch, Mr Brooks said suspected dog-related involvement, such as a pit bull or other aggressive animal, would be much more straightforward. He said: “If it was a pit bull or a Rottweiler, or name any of the other 15 dogs that are deemed semi aggressive, then we would know the answer right away. But being farm animals, it’s just not something we’ve ever dealt with here.”
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