Wild hogs are on the loose in North Texas residential areas.
Multiple feral hogs have been spotted in and near neighborhoods in the McKinney area.
This is not the first occurrence of wild hogs being spotted in the area. One resident captured footage of three of the animals in McKinney along Highway 380 in April 2022.
Feral hogs are listed as one of the top 100 worst exotic invasive species in the world, causing billions of dollars in annual damages and control costs, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife. These animals can also carry diseases, fungal infections, and viral infections in humans such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, and trichinosis.
The agency reported that wild hogs are in fact prevalent all throughout the state of Texas. El Paso County is identified as the only county in the state that is not occupied by the animal in 2019.
Given their presence, residents of Texas are permitted to hunt these feral hogs at all points of the year. However, the discharge of a firearm within city limits is still prohibited.
“McKinney is known for its nature and various wildlife call the city home. While city staff is not equipped to trap feral hogs, we have been in contact with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Game Warden to provide assistance,” said a spokesperson for McKinney in an email, according to NBC DFW. In the meantime, the staff is focused on educating residents and HOAs on how to make their yards and common areas less attractive to these animals,” it continued.
Some McKinney residents have not responded favorably to the presence of the animals, with concerns centering around property and the safety of children in these areas.
TJ Trusty, a resident of the Erwin Farms neighborhood, told NBC DFW his experience seeing the animals, having captured video and photos of them in the neighborhood.
“I was actually coming home from dropping off my kids, and I saw these figures in the dark,” said Trusty. “So, I looked and they were wild boars! Wild hogs,” he continued.
