Home > Latest News > World
Nov 7, 2007
Pig sitter charged with misdemeanour cruelty
Alaina made headlines last week after Ms Schmitz complained that
the pet sitter had allowed Alaina to go from her normal 23
kilogrammes to 68 kilogrammes in just nine months. -- PHOTO:
AP
WINONA (Minnesota) - A PET pig whose weight tripled while it was in
the care of a sitter has been placed on a diet - and an animal
cruelty charge has been filed against the caretaker.
The 5-year-old animal, Alaina Templeton, part potbellied pig, has
lost 10 per cent of her 68 kilogrammes and is recovering well from
surgery to remove a collar that had become embedded in her overly
fat neck, owner Michelle Schmitz said.
Alaina made headlines last week after Ms Schmitz complained that
the pet sitter had allowed Alaina to go from her normal 23
kilogrammes to 68 kilogrammes in just nine months. Ms Schmitz had
left Alaina with the sitter, a co-worker, while she was on medical
leave to recover from ankle surgery.
Alaina apparently had been foraging for cat food and chicken feed
outdoors at the co-worker's farm.
Ms Schmitz said now that her pet is back home, the excess pounds
will 'melt off' with a healthy diet and exercise. She said she and
Alaina's veterinarian consider 23 kilogrammes a more suitable
weight for the mixed-breed pig.
A misdemeanour charge of animal cruelty has been filed against Mary
Beesecker, 52, of Houston, Minnesota, Winona County Sheriff David
Brand said.
'I want her to be held responsible for what she did and what she
didn't do,' Ms Schmitz said. -- AP