Traffic & Transit
Reporter Chronicles Stranded Pig On I-35E In Dallas
A pig on a Wednesday morning stroll caused a serious headache for TxDOT workers who came to its rescue.
DALLAS, TX — One Dallas traffic reporter found herself perplexed Wednesday morning when a pig of unknown origin made its way to the shoulder of I-35E near I-635, where it camped out for around 30 minutes with a good samaritan who stood guard over it.
The pig appeared just before 10:00 a.m. Wednesday. Alongside the pig, traffic cameras showed, stood a man sometimes seen pacing, oftentimes talking on the phone, and occasionally bending down to pet and comfort the pig he had cornered against a guardrail.
KTVT traffic reporter Madison Sawyer chronicled the incident on her Twitter page. Starting around 9:50 a.m., Sawyer tweeted out live updates about the seemingly large pig's exciting morning, from the time TxDOT alerted her of the pig to the time when rescue crews finally arrived.
Find out what's happening in Dallasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
So there is a pig on 35E in North Dallas... See the man on the side of the road? @Txdot says he has the pig cornered next to the guardrail... No word on where the pig came from or where he was going... Yes... this is to be continued... pic.twitter.com/NB3XDGtOyg
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
The man is now attempting to comfort the pig... TBH: The man seems to be more nervous than the pig... pacing back and forth, constantly on cell phone with who I am assuming some pig rescue group? totally unconfirmed pic.twitter.com/oKlh3BVDpS
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
There came a tense moment a short time later when it seemed the man was running away from the pig. Fearing the pig was being left alone on the roadway, Sawyer tweeted in exasperation.
THE MAN IS NOW RUNNING AWAY FROM THE PIG?! So pig is now I am assuming alone?!?! pic.twitter.com/q2sAH5oVUU
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
HAVE NO FEAR! The man returned to the pig's aid! #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/NKBVHpBFap
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
Thankfully the man returned, and he stood by the pig who seemed to wait patiently for rescue to arrive.
Find out what's happening in Dallasfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
For those concerned... (Aka me) The pig has NOT tried to flee the area. He/She seems pretty content with their new friend by the guardrail #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/GkRT7FprLm
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
The man and pig even bonded a little — or so it seemed to Sawyer.
I love that the man standing guard over the pig keeps bending down to pet and comfort it. <3 <3 <3#PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/1yiHoRLeVJ
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
Update for those following #PigOn35E - STILL NO HELP FOR PIG OR THE MAN STANDING GUARD OVER THE PIG!! The man is obviously sweating! #Texas He's been pacing around, constantly wiping what I assume is sweat from his forehead #HelpHim #HelpThePig pic.twitter.com/G5qYoNwhLL
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
The man, who probably has more important things to do than babysit a highway pig, left the scene a short time later.
Uh oh... Now man is walking down 35E away from the pig?!?! #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/1QFIX42UCV
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
TxDOT crews and at least one Dallas police officer arrived moments later, although it was unclear at the time how exactly the rescue would proceed.
SEND IN THE TROOPS!! A Police SUV has arrived on the scene, no word if this will be helpful. #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/jZQEl2T5tj
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
Thankfully some "pig wranglers" seemingly more equipped to handle the situation than TxDOT workers, arrived in a large Ford truck and brought the undoubtedly large pig to safety.
UPDATE!!! Pig wranglers are here!!! CONFIRMED!!! IT IS A LARGE PIG!!! #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/ROl6SQyk50
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
THE PIG IS IN THE TRUCK!!! Such a happy ending to the #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/YhkGJkLiaG
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
Again. For size reference this is the bed of an F-350 truck. This. Pig. Is. LARGE. #PigOn35E pic.twitter.com/7S4kFPjLWM
— Madison Sawyer (@MadisonSawyerTV) June 6, 2018
Image via TxDOT
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