Abused Pig Cuddling With His New Family Will Give You All the Feels

For Immediate Release:
August 15, 2016

Contact:
Megan Wiltsie 202-483-7382

When PETA first found Koa the pig, he had been suffering for almost a week with gashes all over his body and a deep wound crawling with maggots after having been beaten with a crowbar and left to die. Koa had been so terrified that he ran into the woods—where a search party found him the next morning and rushed him into emergency surgery at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital. His injuries were so severe that surgeons had to remove one of his ears, and he almost lost an eye.

Fortunately, Koa—whose name means “warrior” in Hawaiian—pulled through. After spending a few weeks in intensive care at the hospital and then resting at a nearby animal sanctuary, he was ready to move in with his new family in Medina, Ohio. Now, as this new video shows, instead of running away in fear, Koa runs and plays with his family’s two children, Sophie and Miles—that is, when he’s not snuggling or napping with them (or sharing their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!), basking in the sun, or exploring his new home.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—has posted more details about Koa’s story on its blog.