Wild hogs troubling Diamondhead's south side
By Dwayne Bremer
Feb 19, 2013, 17:56
Residents of south Diamondhead have been visited by some un-welcome guests -- a pack of wild hogs which has reportedly been on the loose in the past few months.
City Manager Richard Rose said at Tuesday's city council meeting that the city has received several reports of wild hogs in and around neighborhoods on the south side.
Nobody has been injured by the hogs, but city leaders nevertheless say they are concerned.
"Something needs to be done to get rid of them," Mayor Chuck Ingraham said.
Rose said the hogs were first reported in December.
He said he contacted the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, but it has been slow in setting out traps for the animals.
Rose said sending city crews out to look for them was an option, but council members disagreed.
"I am a hunter and let me tell you, they are dangerous," Councilman Ron Rech said. "I think we need to get a professional."
Rose said he was told by state officials that it may be up to two months before they can resolve the problem. Rose said he will check with wildlife officials to see if they can try to trap the animals sooner.
Diamondhead building official Bill Carrigee suggested calling Clark Breland, a well-known local alligator trapper to handle the problem.
"We need to get the 'Swamp People' down here," one member of the audience said.
"We are going to work on it," Rose said. "We just want to find the quickest and safest way."
