Cedar Rapids Weather
Miracle Pig Finds A New Home After Falling Off Livestock TruckBy Jillian Petrus, Reporter
BUCHANAN COUNTY, Iowa - Olivia is some pig.
After falling off a livestock truck along Interstate 80, people didn't expect this pig-tale to have a happy ending. "When we first got her, we didn't think she'd make it,” said Laura Nicholls with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. But Olivia is something special. She survived the fall off the truck, then surgery to her back femur, and several weeks of rehabilitation. "We started rehab twice a week on a water treadmill,” Nicholls said, “She loved it." Nicholls says piglets falling from livestock trucks is fairly common. The piglets tend to pile up on the sows and accidentally fall through the larger holes at the top of the truck. "They're just lucky when someone brings them in,” Nicholls says, “They actually get a chance at a nice full happy life." Olivia is now 40 pounds heavier with a new mom and a few new friends. "I'm just fortunate to be able to help out with some of those animals that other people may want but they can't."> Deb has taken in two potbellies and Jethro a market pig, like Olivia. All the pigs were either abandoned or found injured along the road. "They're all different like dogs,” Deb says, “They each have their own personality." Deb picked up on Olivia's character quickly. She has a taste for Graham Crackers and is already bossing her new brother around the pig pen. It's hard to believe Olivia will eventually get up to 300 pounds or more. For now, she's just a little sweetheart with a pretty sweet life for a pig. “I’m just fortunate to be able to help out with some of those animals,” Deb says, “I love dogs and cats, but there are plenty of other animals that need help too.” |
What's On KCRG
|
Conversation Guidelines
Be Kind
Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.
Share Knowledge
Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.
Stay focused
Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.
Report Trouble
Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.
read the full guidelines here »
Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
Most Popular