15 loose pigs create hog-wild scene in Sussex County

🐷 Pig pandemonium: Fifteen escaped pigs shut down part of Route 565 in Frankford Township, creating a traffic hazard during the Wednesday morning commute.
🚔 Safe roundup: New Jersey State Police, Wantage Animal Control and the owner worked together to corral the wandering hogs and return them safely to their pasture.
⚠️ Driver warning: Officials remind Sussex County motorists to slow down, stay alert and never use a cellphone to record animal rescues on the road.

FRANKFORD — You’ve heard of drivers hogging New Jersey roadways trying to get to their destinations, but what happens when the road hogs really are hogs?

That’s what happened in Sussex County on Wednesday morning.

Escaped pigs create traffic hazard on Route 565 in Sussex County

On Wednesday, July 29, just after 8:30 a.m., New Jersey State Police responded to Route 565 in the Skylands region for a report of 15 pigs running at large, creating quite the hazard for motorists, according to the Wantage Township Animal Shelter’s Facebook page.

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State police managed to safely corral the pigs along the side of the road. Wantage Animal Control then arrived and worked with the police to guide the oinkers back toward the property from which they escaped.

Shortly afterward, the pigs’ owner arrived and helped with returning them to their pasture.

Don’t worry. None of the pigs cried “weee weee weee” all the way home.

New Jersey State Police and animal control safely corral livestock

“We understand that livestock can occasionally get loose, and our priority is protecting both the safety of our residents and the well-being of the animals. We’re happy to report that all of these piggies are safely back home,” the shelter wrote.

Sussex County drivers urged to stay alert for loose animals

Residents and motorists should also keep in mind that in Sussex County, animal and livestock encounters can happen. So, if drivers see emergency responders working to contain animals, the shelter reminds them to please slow down, stay alert, and pay attention.

Please don’t try to take photos or videos either, the shelter urged. Using a cellphone while driving creates an unnecessary risk for everyone involved.

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