When the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department received a call about an escaped pig, they knew they were in for an unusual afternoon. This wasn’t just any pig—witnesses described him as being “the size of a miniature horse,” and he was casually strolling through the neighborhood like he owned the place.
The Call Comes In
Highland Station deputies sprang into action when they received the report of the oversized escapee roaming the streets. Deputy Ponce and Deputy Berg responded to the scene, and thanks to their experience with previous calls about this particular pig, they knew exactly where home was. The real challenge? Getting a determined, hungry pig to cooperate.
Doritos to the Rescue
As it turns out, the solution to capturing a giant pig didn’t require fancy equipment or complicated strategies—just a simple bag of Doritos from one deputy’s lunch bag. Deputy Ponce explained their clever approach: “They lured him back home with @Doritos one of our deputies had in her lunch bag. They made a trail and he followed.”
This snack-based retrieval method proved remarkably effective. The pig’s nose led his feet straight home, following the delicious chip trail right back to his pen. Within minutes, the deputies had successfully secured the gate, and the miniature horse-sized pig was safely back where he belonged.
A Happy Ending (And Viral Social Media Moment)
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department posted about the incident on Instagram, sharing the lighthearted story with their followers. Deputy Ponce’s closing comment said it all: “We were able to put him back in and secure the gate. It was fun!” with a badge emoji.
The post immediately went viral, with followers asking the burning question everyone wanted answered: What flavor were the Doritos? The responses were equally hilarious, with one commenter writing, “Chances are pretty high that I’d follow someone home if they gave me Doritos.” The pig’s excellent taste in snacks clearly resonated with social media users everywhere.
What’s Your Pet’s Weakness?
This amusing rescue brings up an important question for pet owners and animal lovers alike: Does your horse, pig, dog, or any other animal have a favorite food that typically isn’t on their approved diet? Have you ever successfully used treats (approved or otherwise) to manage an escape situation? The San Bernardino deputies certainly proved that understanding your animal’s motivations can be key to a safe resolution.
Share your own pet food stories and unusual animal escapes in the comments below! Whether it’s a miniature horse-sized pig or a spirited equine, we’d love to hear about your experiences.