Texas authorities confirmed an attack by a pack of feral hogs killed a 59-year-old woman on her way to work on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Christine Rollins bled to death after she was attacked by feral hogs in the front yard of a home in rural Anahuac, according to the medical examiner and Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne.
The Jefferson County medical examiner’s office ruled the cause of death as “exsanguination due to feral hog assault.”
“We can kind of tell that from the different sizes of the bites,” Hawthorne said during a news conference Monday, according to CBS Houston.
Rollins was one of three caretakers who provided around-the-clock care for an elderly couple who lived in the home near where she was attacked. The 84-year-old homeowner and his 79-year-old wife have severe dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
When she didn’t show up to work that morning, the 84-year-old man went outside and found Rollins laying between her vehicle and the home’s front door in the 400 block of State Hwy 61. Sheriff Hawthorne called it one of the most horrific scenes he’s ever seen.
No one heard the attack on Rollins. Neighbors in the rural area told ABC13 they have complained about the roaming packs of feral hogs, also known as feral pigs, swine, wild boar, razorbacks, or Eurasian wild boar.
“As soon as I seen the news report on that, my heart goes out to the family,” said “Cajun Bob” Thornberry, of Sweeny. He said he’s used trees to escape from charging packs of hogs.
“If you walk up on a bunch of these hogs, don’t try to run because they can outrun you,” Thornberry warned. “Try to get close to a tree and if you can’t get close to a tree, at least carry a gun with you. Like any wild animal, feral hogs attack when they feel threatened.”
Residents say hogs in that rural part of Chambers County are becoming a bigger problem.
“We’ve got individuals that hunt hogs with dogs. They put Kevlar on these dogs for a purpose because those hogs are vicious,” said neighbor David Bennett. “And when they feel threatened, they’re coming after you.”
Rollins would have turned 60 years old on Christmas Day. She leaves behind one adult daughter and two adult grandchildren.
