What's Happening in Dallas, TX…

Heavy rains and the resulting flooding have produced an unexpected side effect, in that feral hogs sightings in North Texas have increased dramatically.

The area’s wild hogs normally choose to live adjacent to rivers and streams, but the unusual precipitation in May and June have driven the animals away from the usual habitats and closer to populated areas. Recently, the only individual with a license to trap feral pigs, Osvaldo Rojas, told NBCDFW that in he had twice his usual amount of work in one recent week, with Southeast Dallas providing the most requests for his services.

Almost every night, feral hogs can be seen around dusk crossing Interstate 20 near Dowdy Road. One farmer, near Hutchens, resorted to hiring a helicopter to hunt the animals after a sounder of hogs did extensive damage to his property. In Montague County, Don Gresham said he uses his own traps that he makes and sells to catch around 20 to 50 of the wild animals a night on his ranch.

In unusual situations like this, the public appreciates being kept informed and a partnership between local officials and brochure printers could ease public concerns.

The situation is likely to last at least until the water recedes, and even then the pigs might not be so eager to return to their former homes.