Woman dies after being partially eaten, attacked by pigs on Christmas Day
A woman was found dead after being attacked by two pigs near her residence on Christmas Day.
Media outlets like CBS News and The Columbus Dispatch reported that Rebecca Westergaard Rigney of Ohio was discovered lifeless with leg injuries in her home on Dec. 25.
Police told The Columbus Dispatch that she was mauled by her neighbor's pigs who were "roaming" near her place along Mink Street.
Authorities were alerted and asked to check up on her after she skipped a Christmas gathering she was supposed to attend at her niece's house in Norton, Ohio. They saw a large pig upon entering Rigney's home in the afternoon, while at least two other pigs were found at her neighbor's residence.
Per a document obtained by CBS affiliate WBNS, Rigney—who was also dealing with prior health conditions—was confirmed to have died from “bleeding out due to extensive superficial injuries by livestock animals.”
Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks described what happened as a “horrible, horrible situation.” He said, “If it was a pitbull 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."
The two pigs are in quarantine “until further notice.” Their owner isn't facing any criminal charges as of writing.
