Mesquite residents are calling on city leaders for stronger action as packs of feral hogs tear up yards and raise safety concerns in neighborhoods like Falcons Lair.
Ted Faulkner, who has lived in Falcons Lair for 17 years, says groups of six to 10 hogs have been roaming through the area at night over the past six weeks. He shared video with CBS News Texas showing the animals running across lawns and estimates the damage to his own property alone has reached several thousand dollars.
“All of this damage that you’re looking at was done by feral hogs within the last six weeks,” Faulkner said. He added that the hogs turned one of his early flowerbeds into a rock garden shortly after he moved in, then were largely dormant for a year or two before the recent surge.
Faulkner has filed three reports with animal control and the city manager’s office. He has warned neighbors not to walk outside after dark, saying frightened hogs could attack. Public safety is his biggest concern.
Mesquite Animal Services is unable to trap or remove feral hogs and does not have the resources to manage the population. The assistant city manager has contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife for assistance, and the state agency has provided a wildlife biologist. City staff track reports, may visit properties to assess damage, and offer information on deterrents while relaying details to the state for possible intervention.
Feral hogs are attracted to bird feeders, gardens, lawns and the area’s plentiful oak groves. Experts note the population can grow by about 20 percent each year, making control difficult. Damage has also been reported on public land, including a park pavilion area.
The city encourages residents to report sightings online through the myMesquite customer service platform or by calling Animal Services at 972-216-6283. In case of immediate danger, residents should call 911.
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Mesquite Animal Services is unable to trap or remove feral hogs and does not have the resources to manage the population.
Mesquite Animal Services is unable to trap or remove feral hogs and does not have the resources to manage the population.
