Locals rally to rescue lost and injured pig

Local residents come together last week to rescue an injured Kunekune pig along Montana 28 near Hot Springs.

Driving home from Kalispell, Megan Beason noticed a small animal in the roadway. Much to her surprise, it was an injured pig.

Beason pulled off the road and began what was to be the first attempt to rescue the young pig.

Trying to chase down an injured pig along the road wasn’t as easy as she thought. After numerous attempts to capture it, she feared that both she and the pig could be hit by passing vehicles. Beason gave up and called for help. This was when the local community came to the rescue.

The young pig was finally corralled by Mariah Smith, Gracie Claridge and Plains Police Department Officer Jared Hutchens, and was taken to the EMT center in Plains where Lyla Lammert, an EMT in training, was asked to put her new skills to work. After dressing a large gash on the pig’s neck, Lammert was able to take the pig — who the rescuers began referring to Wilbur — to the Thompson Falls Veterinary Clinic.

Dr. Stephanie McIntyre cleaned and sutured the wound. This is when Dr. McIntyre informed all involve that the pig wasn’t a Wilbur, but a Ms. Wilburina.

A Go Fund Me page was set up to pay for the care of Wilburina and quickly reached the goal to pay most of the expenses incurred by Lammert.

Wilburina is now recuperating at Lammert's home.

The help from the community has continued with Plains resident Crystal Tribetino donating a bag of feed. Lammert said she has bonded with Ms. Wilburina, but was still open to the idea of adopting her out to someone who would raise her as a pet.

“She has gone through enough that she has a right to live," Lammert said.

If anyone would like to help, Lammert is in need of straw for the pig’s pen and more pig food. Contact the Clark Fork Valley Press at 406-826-3402.