Year in Review: Dead pig’s owner fights for change in Slatington

A Slatington man’s pet potbelly pig was killed by police and dumped by the river in July, upsetting residents and pet owners alike. Police responded to a complaint from a resident on Hill Street regarding a loose pig at 11:33 p.m. on July 21.

Charles Williams first noticed the pig in his yard when he went outside to grab some documents from his car. His wife Kathleen, unsure of where the pig had come from, called the police dispatch in order to have an officer come by.

While waiting, Williams claimed that the pig jumped and knocked her over. She was unable to run away due to a knee injury.

Police Chief David Rachman said that when officers arrived on the scene, Williams was “crying hysterically,” and had red marks on her skin from animal bites.

Police claimed that the pig had chased them while grunting, and an officer shot the pig.

The pig, whose name was Oscar, was not discovered by his owner, Lance Sherer, until the next day.

Slatington police had dumped Oscar’s body near the Lehigh River and Slatington airport when they were uncertain of who owned him.

Sherer said that while he did find a lawyer willing to take his case up against the borough, it would have cost him $2,500 to initiate the case, and he would only be able to sue for “what the borough is worth.”

In November, Slatington borough amended an ordinance to recognize potbelly pigs as household pets.

Sherer has contested the use of lethal force on his beloved pet, starting a change.org petition directed to borough manager Judith Danko, requesting an animal control officer for Slatington, or animal control-based training for police officers. The petition currently has just over half of its 1,000 signatures goal.

“I plan to continue to seek training for Slatington Police in 2018,” Sherer said.

“I will also work on animal control for this borough. They want this subject to go away. I will not let that happen.”