Fifteen pigs busted out of a farm in Frankford and were running loose along Route 565 before they were corralled by New Jersey State Police troopers on Wednesday morning.
Wantage Animal Control officers responded alongside New Jersey State Police when the pigs were reported on Route 565 in Frankford Township about 8:38 a.m.
The animals were reported running loose and “creating a hazard for motorists.”
Wantage Township Administrator Michael Restel told NJ.com he was “not really sure how they got out. Maybe through a damaged fence.”
Animal control officers and the farm’s owner, who was not identified by authorities, worked together to guide the wayward pigs back to their pasture.
Restel explained the key to recapturing all the animals was surprisingly straightforward.
“It’s like ‘follow the leader.’ Once you get one, they just follow suit,” he said.
There are plenty of farms in the area and escapes are not that uncommon, Restel said.
The township administrator noted that first-time escapes typically receive lenient treatment.
“Usually the first time around it’s just a ‘mulligan,’ as we call it,” Restel said, referring to the golf term for a do-over.
While state law requires farms to secure pigs and other livestock, Restel said the owner was not cited.
The pigs were corralled about two miles from Route 15.
“We understand that livestock can occasionally get loose, and our priority is protecting both the safety of our residents and the well-being of the animals,” the animal shelter posted to Facebook.
The shelter also emphasized the broader context of rural life in Sussex County.
“As a reminder, we live in Sussex County, where encounters like this can happen,” they wrote.
Officers urged motorists to exercise caution during such incidents.
“If you see emergency responders working to contain animals or manage any roadside incident, please slow down, stay alert, and keep your attention on the road.”
While the farm is in Frankford Township, Wantage authorities took the lead because the town provides animal services in the region via a shared services agreement.
In the viral moment that unfolded Wednesday morning, 15 pigs that had escaped from a rural Frankford farm suddenly found themselves loose on a busy county highway in the Skylands region of New Jersey.
Wantage Animal Control officers responded alongside New Jersey State Police when the pigs were reported on Route 565 at about 8:38 a.m.
The area has plenty of farms and animal escapes are not that uncommon.
The situation posed an immediate traffic hazard as the wandering swine created dangerous conditions for drivers traversing the rural road.
Animal control officers and the farm’s owner worked together to guide the wayward pigs back to their pasture.
“We’re happy to report that all of these piggies are safely back home,” the shelter said.