The real story of the "monster pig"

[LeftyMom]

http://www.hsus.org/wildlife/wildlife_news/monster_pig_canned_hunt.html

Fred was raised as a family pet. He grew up in the Alabama hill country on the farm of Phil and Rhonda Blissitt. Phil had given Fred to his wife for a Christmas present, and he was fed and pampered as a dog or cat would be.

But Fred wasn't a dog or cat. He was a domestic pig, and when he grew up, the Blissitts, whom Fred had learned to think of as his family, sold him to the Lost Creek Plantation, a nearby "hunting preserve."

Fred was longer than nine feet long and weighed half a ton. Since Lost Creek charges $1.25 a pound for what they call (inaccurately, in Fred's case) "feral meat hogs," the operators figured to make more than a thousand dollars on Fred.

They turned him loose in a 150-acre fenced enclosure, from which Fred had no chance of escape. On May 3, they sent paying customers Mike Stone and his 11-year-old son, Jamison, into the enclosure to hunt him down.

(more at link)

[Downtown Hound]

1. I think I just became a vegetarian

That story made me want to cry.

[LeftyMom]

2. Pigs are such sweet, smart animals.

Smarter than dogs, I've heard.

[Radio_Lady]

32. My ex-husband raised two of them when my kids were smaller. He wouldn't let them name the pigs,

because he knew they were going to be slaughtered for their meat eventually.

My children called them "HAM" and "BACON" -- but when the pigs were killed for their meat, the children couldn't bring themselves to eat any of it. (They were living with my ex-husband at the time.)

Like it or not, we are an animal-eating society. The animals get back at us, though -- by giving us heart disease and other illnesses.

[Bullwinkle925]

3. I'm in awe of the immense bravery it took for those good 'ole boys to hunt this

menace to society down! :sarcasm:

I saw the Father/Son team on a morning show this past week. Disgusting.

[idgiehkt]

4. wow, a sportswriter's reporting brought the truth out:

"This is the true face of canned hunts. A tame animal, trapped inside a fenced pen, is shot multiple times over several hours. The publicity generated by the size of the pig—which might have been a world record had Fred actually been the wild boar he was advertised to be—and some outstanding investigative reporting by Bran Strickland, sports editor of the Anniston Star, lifted the curtain of secrecy in which canned hunts are shrouded and revealed what they really are: cruelty for cash, death for dollars. In Fred's death, as with all the victims of canned hunts, there was neither sport nor sportsmanship."

Thanks for posting this, it's horrendous. They say the authorities won't act because the animal was a pet, (who in the f*ck would 'hunt' a pet...well, we know the answer to that)...I wonder if maybe animal cruelty charges will be filed. I am so incredibly grateful to this Brian Strickland guy for the investigation into this that he did, god bless him for being so curious about it. I hope there will be serious backlash so that this kid can be shown just how wrong and cruel was he was allowed to do is. It was a despicable act, as all canned hunts are.

[Kali]

29. I agree with most of it, but 150 acres is no "pen"

If it HAD been a wild hog and the country was brushy at all it would have been a LITTLE more legit.

Also at least they finished the job (more than one shot) - I find deer and javelina carcasses afeter every hunting season - I KNOW they were injured and not tracked down to be dispatched. Leaving an animal to suffer and die for recreation is pretty low down.

[yewberry]

5. Aww, crap.

What a horrible thing.

What kind of people take in an animal and then decide to sell to a hunting preserve? Seriously, there's something wrong with that. Pigs are smart and loving--I can't help but imagine what Fred went through and the apply it to what my dog might feel in that situation. How could someone DO that?

Oy. No, I'm not a fan of hunting (big shock, I know), but I really do feel badly for the kid who hunted and killed this animal. He had no way to know that he was killing an animal that had been raised as a companion. That's got to be a burden.

*Going to hug my dog now*

[idgiehkt]

6. also horrifying and sick

posted below Fred's story at the link, advertising on the canned hunt brochures, it looks like most animals are shot right where they feed. How horrifying it must be to live in one of these rances and have to go to feed daily knowing you will be shot at. Sick, sick, sick.


No kill no pay."
—Triple R Ranch

"...comfort of a large enclosed blind with sliding window overlooking heavily used corn feeders."
—Barnes-Keith Ranch

"...all weather blind overlooking feeding areas."
—Beaver Creek Ranch

"...hunts are from elevated box blinds overlooking food plots, senderos or feeders."
—Edmund Tom Ranch

"...our hunters consistently bring down nilgai due to their sheer numbers...water holes are effective during the summer months...we suggest you put out some corn in areas to attract and plan on stand hunting...remember to bring your Loc-On treestand!"
—Four Arrow Outfitters

"The animals are fed on a feed routing that runs daily."
—Gunn Ranch

"...we have the daytime cover and water...so they MUST come to us to hide and drink."
—Itchy Acres Ranch

"The preferred hunt will be from elevated blinds and enclosed tri-pods overlooking automatic feeders."
—Kinsel Cattle Company

"Our hunters have 90% to 100% success...we put 40 lbs of corn at each stand twice a week so the deer and hogs are used to coming to them. You may put out corn at the stand you are hunting...36 comfortable box stands."
—Lange Ranches in the Texas Hill Country

"Hunting is done from tower blinds overlooking feeders which have been operating continuously since August. Any predators seen may be taken as well."
—Mann Outfitting

"...hunting is usually done from double box blinds overlooking feeders...we're going to do everything legally possible to make your hunt a productive worthwhile experience!"
—Rojo Grande Ranch

"...we hunt in 3 man box blinds overlooking food plots and senderos. We expect 100% success."
—San Miguel Hunting Ranches

"Each stand has mineral licks and timer controlled feeders."
—Solano Ranch

[BrklynLiberal]

27. Truly, physically sickening...

[Neoma]

7. Figures.

[Wetzelbill]

8. yeah that's how a lot of these so-called "hunters" do it these days

that's basically what Cheney was doing when he shot his hunting pal. These preserves get animals that are raised and pampered and not even wild, then they have people come in and pay to "hunt" them. Like that's effing tough. Like the quail, they practically throw those things in front of you to shoot. I am not opposed to hunting or anything, but if you're going to do it, at least actually go out and hunt, I mean these things are little more than glorified target practice. What's more is it's cruel and not even remotely sporting.

[idgiehkt]

10. it's worse because to preserve the trophy they don't aim for the head or chest

speaking of animals that are to be mounted, unlike the pig. So they shoot them in the mid-section or abdomen and let them die a slow, painful death.

What I am really, truly having trouble understanding is why if they just want a trophy don't they just have the animal humanely euthanized and then mounted, or buy a mount. Since they don't I guess they are just sociopaths that are too lazy to really hunt something.

[Wetzelbill]

11. I know a lot of hunters

Virtually everybody I know back home, I'm from Montana, is a hunter. And, I'll tell you what, there is a certain segment of those people who are extremely cruel. So I imagine that people who are lazy enough to go "hunt" like this, are actually doing it for the kill, and not the thrill of a chase or anything. I know people who hunt who basically like the atmosphere of it, like they go out with their friends and enjoy the thrill of the chase etc, and if they don't get something, well, at least they had a good time otherwise. That's a much more fair situation, as you are in an animal's element and they are cunning and perfectly able to save themselves. But I also know people who just like to kill. It's pretty screwed up too. Some people would just as soon shoot a dog too, I've had some of my own dogs shot when I was a kid. Like I said you just have a certain segment of cruel people out there, and I suspect those who go to these easy kill preserves simply just like the thrill of taking a life. You're right, it is sociopathic. Maybe not all of them, but you know some are like that for sure.

[DrDan]

14. I agree with your post - there are certainly people like this . . . .

And what really bothers me is that the ultimate thrill for these cretins is to put on a uniform, be handed a gun, and head to Iraq.

There are too many stories now that imply the same people you describe are now serving this felonious administration in the most horrific way.

[ChickMagic]

19. I've known people like this too

One bragged, yes BRAGGED, about how he shot the jaw off a deer and laughed about it running away.

[MonkeyFunk]

9. That's not "hunting"

by any reasonable definition.

[Connonym]

12. This is incredibly sad

What a grotesque thing this whole situation turned out to be. What an awful way for that pig to die. A bunch of sick, sick people.

[REP]

13. That Little Shit Shot At Him 15 Times; Missed 11 Times

So, he was basically shooting at a tame pig, who was used to humans being nice to him, and that little fucker took 15 shots and missed 11 of them? That poor animal had nowhere to run, probably couldn't run well, and died not only in pain but in confusion as to why the humans were doing this. The little fucker was old enough to know better, and his sperm-donor sure as hell knew his little loser was shooting at a tame, fenced pig. As someone else said, that brat literally couldn't hit the side of a barn. Hope sperm-donor feels like he's sired a big, tough boy.

[flvegan]

15. Considering the amount of bragging done by the father

and Lost Creek, I hope this story thoroughly destroys their respective businesses.

[slj0101]

16. Canned hunts are bullshit.

It's for people who are too lazy (or too unskilled) to actually stalk and hunt for themselves. I don't hunt, nor would I ever, but I at least respect the amount of time, patience and skill it takes to hunt wild game. Not to mention that in the wild, an animal at least has the option of escape.

[Zuiderelle]

17. Unspeakably sad.

If only charges could be pressed against the boy's father. Not only is it cruel what happened to this poor animal, but what he did to his son in encouraging him to kill it, and then to lie about the circumstances to paint him as some sort of hero is reprehensible.

[Crabby Appleton]

18. RIP Fred nt

[jpgray]

20. I'm reminded of Mononoke-Hime

:(

[bicentennial_baby]

21. Ugh, exactly...

x(

[jpgray]

23. I always found Miyazaki's porcine obsession to be weird

But then I find almost all anime weird. :P Neat drawings and imagination, though.

[bicentennial_baby]

24. Now that you mention it...

Didn't he do Porco Rosso?

And then there's Sprited Away.

Huh....

[no name no slogan]

22. Yuck. Sounds like a Cheney hunt

Wasn't the Dick at one of those hunting parks when he shot his lawyer buddy?

This is just disturbing. Hunting a tame animal like Fred is like hunting a housecat.

[BrklynLiberal]

25. I thought I was going to puke when I read this..I got so sick. Big brave hunter,

probably shot the animal as he was coming toward him for some treats...as he was used to doing.
This is one of the most inhumane things I have read about in a long time... A canned hunt for an animal that had been a family pet......no fear of people.
I am so pissed off that I just want to cry.

[Danger Mouse]

26. I had read that the owner of the pig told the kid who shot him

that the pig had been dangerous, and that's why he got rid of him.
Think that was on CNN last week.
Don't much care either way, though.

[Fleshdancer]

28. "hunting preserve" makes no sense

How can you hunt and preserve at the same time? :wtf:

So when Cheney shot his friend in the face, was he at a friendly hunting preserve? :shrug:

[mitchum]

30. A canned diet soda hunt would have benefited that kid more

[mike_c]

31. I cannot even respond to this story...

Everything I write seems inadequate to express my sadness and disgust.

[Taverner]

33. LeftyMom - you're going to make a vegetarian out of me...

Every story I hear about carnivorous activities ends up pissing me off - from this to the Cow that ran away from the slaughterhouse - to how we treat even milk cows.

Jeez - you're fucking with my suspension of disbelief here!

[Lethe]

34. hunting domesticated animals is not cool

i also think its unethical to say, raise a chicken and then kill it

if you want to kill an animal, go out and do it in the wild. (no canned hunts)

[Norrin Radd]

35. Disgusting.