A tragic incident unfolded on Christmas day in Pataskala, Ohio, when a 75-year-old woman was fatally attacked by her neighbor’s pigs. Rebecca Westergaard was found dead on her property that afternoon, following a welfare check requested by her niece. Westergaard had failed to fulfill a morning commitment to pick up her niece, prompting the request.
The pigs, owned by a neighbor, had strayed onto Westergaard’s property and were implicated in the fatal incident. Upon reaching the scene, law enforcement officers discovered Westergaard’s body, which showed signs of an attack and partial consumption by the pigs.
Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks described the incident as a “horrible, horrible situation.” The investigation into the incident is still ongoing, and further details have not been released. An autopsy is currently underway to determine the exact cause of Westergaard’s death.
The owner of the pigs, who has not been publicly named, could potentially face criminal charges, although this is yet to be confirmed. The fate of the pigs involved in the attack remains uncertain. Ohio state law mandates the euthanization of a pet dog if it kills a person, but the law is less clear when it comes to aggressive behavior from farm animals.
Brooks highlighted the unique nature of the situation, stating, “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.”
Pataskala City Councilwoman Mary Hite, who owns a meat market near Westergaard’s home, clarified to local media that the pigs were not hers. The community is left in shock and mourning as they grapple with the unexpected and horrifying incident.