Animal Welfare: A Horrible Case of Pig Abuse

[prettypunkchick]

I got two of my pigs from a friend's little brother. I suspected one had been abused, but I didn't have any clue... My friend told me in great detail the things her brother would do to these poor piggies. Sometimes he would put them in baskets and spin them around like a centrifuge, training them to be "space pigs." He would flick them on the nose and poke them with pins until they got hurt and upset and then he would get them to fight each other. He kept them in a tiny bin, and whenever their bottoms got all wet, he he would give them "baths" in scalding hot water, in a tub so full that they had to swim and he would hold their heads under. She said she even once caught him putting binder clips (the same ones we use in C&C cages) on the piggies ears so he could watch them squeal and twitch... Supposedly, one of the pigs peed on him, so he took her into the bathroom and put her in the toilet, went to the bathroom on her and flushed it while she was still in there.

Once his parents caught on, she said he would find other ways to harass them. He tried to get them high off of whiteout and permanent markers and made them eat superglue. My friend doesn't know how it happened, but she told me that one of the pigs toes had been bent at a right angle. Looking at it now, I can see that the toe is straight, but it looks swollen. It doesn't seem to be causing her any pain however, and the injury would have been months ago so it probably healed that way.

After one of them mysteriously died, she told her parents everything and when they started to believe her, they suggest I adopt the pigs. But no one told me the whole story until just now... One piggy is doing just fine. She's happy, popcorns for hay, wheeks for food, and gets along great with my 3rd pig. But the other one is the most unhappy animal I have ever seen. She just hides and pees on herself. She either runs away for her life when I come near, or freezes in fear. Her heart rate never seems to go down, and I think the only reason she eats is because she is nervous and needs to chew on something. She screams like a banshee everytime I touch her. I really don't know what to do, I feel so bad for her. I can't believe that someone could do this to such an innocent little animal...

[Peggysu]

Have you or your friend notified police of this. It's starts with animals and then it continues to humans.

[MomtoO&O]

That is true.

Such a sad story. I had to gloss over parts of it.

[theresaj]

That is awful. How could someone do that to a creature with so much love to share as a pet.

[new piggie]

Oh my God! That is so sad.

[NicholsS10]

That's awful! It's also a shining example of way children should not interact with guinea pigs, or ANY animal without adult supervision. At least the 2 that survived that horrible abuse are now in good hands, and never let your friend's brother near them ever again! As what you can do about the traumatized guinea pig, be patient. It may never really recover considering the horrible abuse and trauma it went through. Just be patient, and keep working with it for a little bit everyday. You may also need to accept the fact that it may never be able to fully trust any human, and may always be scared of humans. Take it extremely slow with the pig, too. If it seems absolutely terrified, give the pig some room

At least the other one is doing well. Maybe the pig will eventually learn through the other pigs that not all humans are terrible.

Keep us posted on the pig's condition. I'll keep you and your pigs in my thoughts.

[salana]

Honestly, I would call the police. Animal abuse is not as much of a crime as it should be, but who knows what this kid is doing to his classmates, or will do in the future? This is really frightening.

[fieryone]

That's heartbreaking. I will never understand how people can do this. It makes me sick to my stomach. But those who said that this behavior exhibited toward animals often escalates to humans are correct. This kid has some problems and if his parents continue to ignore it then I hate to think about what he could be capable of in the future.

I'm so glad that the pigs are in much better hands now and hopefully the one who is the most terrified will eventually learn to trust you. Poor thing

[claire]

Reading this broke my heart. I used to work for the S.P.C.A. here and I remember there being a study done a few years ago on the unquestionable connection between kids who abuse animals and increasing anti-social/violent behaviour as they get older which led to a new liason between animal charity workers and social services and the courts. The kid in question here absolutely needs therapy and reporting to the authorities if at all possible, which as there is little way to prove what happened, might not be feasible.

Hopefully this little piggy will learn through her cagemates that not all humans are as despicable as the 'human' who had her until now. Poor baby. Thank you for giving them a proper home.

[pigsmakemesmile]

I had a really hard time reading about the abuse. It's dam sickening. It is true that abuse starts with animals then progresses to humans. The risk is high that if the parents don't intervene...he will most likely continue on graduating to abusing people when he's older.
There's no question that there's a reason you came to their rescue...things happen for a reason. I'm sorry that the little pig is so traumatized. It may take a long while before he/she is comfortable enough to come around and having cagemates may help. There's also a chance may never come around. but I 'd rather see the piggy in your care as you have an understanding of it's background. Please be patient. It's possible that this pig may have taken the brunt of the abuse and right now, needs a lot of love, treats and space.
God bless

[BurningAmber520]

OMG those poor babies! Thats sickening and heartbreaking! It just makes me want to cry! Thank god you took them in and are giving them a new life! Big hugs for you and those little piggies!

[sophistacavy]

Yup, I would definetely stop reading this thread, and call the police. What if he gets upset at his sibling or parents? There is a such thing as elder abuse, and domestic violence other than that between man/woman. He could really end up hurting your friend.

He needs to get in trouble for this.

[lilcavy]

That is the worst thing i have ever heard! I can't even think of what those pigs felt like everyday wondering what was going to happen to them next! I think you should try to hand feed her, then snuggle with her for a long time. I can't say it will work its just a thing to try... watch her and see what she enjoys( if she enjoys anything).

[freakywheeky]

What gives this kid the ego to think he can do something like that? I do not see how someone can look into the trusting,innocent eyes of those piggies and do that. This infuriates me to no end and I wish you would report the little turd!!! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR HIS BEHAVIOUR!!!

[Paula]

I think the best way to gain a pig's trust is always through their stomachs. Help them to get more comfortable with you and eventually they will understand that you don't hurt them and it will build their confidence in you and their sense of security in your home.

As for the child, I would venture to guess that he is being or has been abused himself and alerting the authorities to his behavior might help him to get a psychological evaluation that can help to determine what's most appropriate as far as counseling or other issues he might need help resolving. Furthermore, if your friend knew this was going on and did nothing, or let it go on for a stretch of time without doing anything, then I think she is partly to blame and if someone's to be punished, it isn't just her brother.

[Ly&Pigs]

Originally Posted by freakywheeky

THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR HIS BEHAVIOUR!!!

Please don't shout. Posting sentences in all capitals is the same as shouting.

[prettypunkchick]

Don't worry, he's gotten into plenty of trouble, his parents are looking for a way to pay for therapy because they're determined to send him there.

[dra&pigs]

I would hope his parents are doing all they can to get him into therapy. First its his pets, then it will be his siblings and classmates, then them, and eventually whoever he marries. Its unacceptable behavior, and he needs to learn the consequences.
Kudos to you for taking the pigs. Like Paula (I believe it was Paula?) said, food is often the best way to a pigs heart. It will probably take some time for the pig to adjust, and to learn you won't hurt her. Just keep spending time by the cage each day, with some veggies, so she learns to associate you with treats rather than pain.

[graycurse]

I don't know what I'd do if I had kids and they were hurting my animals. I just can't comprehend the feeling of a being I loved seriosuly hurting another being I loved. It's just awful.

[IluvePiggies]

I defiantly agree. It is sure a case of horrible pig abuse. Poor pig.