A 75-year-old woman from Ohio tragically lost her life after being mauled to death and partially consumed by her neighbor’s pigs on Christmas Day.
Woman mauled to death
Rebecca Westergaard Rigney was found lifeless on her front steps with severe leg injuries at her residence on Mink Street in Pataskala, Ohio, according to officials.
Concern arose when Rigney’s niece sounded the alarm after she failed to join family celebrations in Norton, Ohio. Police arrived around 3 PM and discovered a pig wandering inside the property.
Additionally, officers located at least two pigs at the neighbor’s home and informed the owner that the animals would remain quarantined until further notice, as reported by WBNS.
Authorities noted that Rigney had been living alone, at the time of the attack, despite her advanced age.
Police Chief Bruce Brooks called Rigney’s death a “horrible, horrible situation,” while confirming that further details would only become available after the full autopsy is completed in approximately four to six weeks.
Police unsure how to proceed
Explaining the unique nature of the case, Brooks added, “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.”
He also mentioned that no decisions have been made yet about the future of the pigs, but his department remains in contact with the Licking County Prosecutors’ Office for guidance.
The Licking County Coroner’s Office concluded that Rigney’s death was accidental, citing that she bled out because of substantial injuries inflicted by livestock.
Previously existing health conditions, including heart issues and the use of blood thinners, also played a role in her death.
Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the pig’s owner nor said whether any criminal charges will be pursued.
David Mullings, a local resident, told WBNS that he was bewildered over the shocking events.
“It’s pretty crazy and wild. There are not wild pigs roaming. I’ve never seen pigs besides from the market down the street. It’s very confusing.”
“It would be nice to get clarification on what actually happened. What’s going on in our neighborhood?” he added.
Man mauled to death by his own dogs
This shocking occurrence isn’t the only recent animal attack making headlines. Just days earlier, a 26-year-old man named Pedro Ortega was fatally attacked by his own three dogs in Mira Mesa, California.
The incident happened on December 13 while Ortega was walking the dogs with his 4-year-old son near Mesa Viking Neighborhood Park, when his dogs suddenly went after him.
Nearby witnesses attempted to break up the attack and managed to save the child. When authorities arrived, they used stun guns to subdue the aggressive animals.
Ortega, severely injured, was rushed to Scripps Memorial Hospital Emergency Department but succumbed to his wounds.
The San Diego Humane Society noted that another bystander trying to intervene sustained serious bite injuries.
The bullmastiff dogs were captured and ultimately euthanized with permission from Ortega’s family.
Security footage from a neighbor’s garage showed one of the dogs wandering inside, bloodied and still carrying a taser dart.
Another community resident told KFMB-TV they had seen Ortega walking the dogs around children in the park the day prior to the attack.
Watch the KMFB report about Ortega’s death here:
