The owner of 50 pot belly pigs has been ordered to pay more than $21,000 in restitution and give the pigs to the humane society.
Officials with the Humane Society of Lackawanna County said it costs more than $3,000 a month to take care of the more than 50 pot belly pigs. They even had to rent a barn to house them.
Wyoming County District Attorney George Skumanick said Marla Burnham of Meshoppen was ordered by a judge Wednesday to pay $21,427 in restitution. The judge also said she can't own another pig for at least 90 days.
Humane officers took the pigs from Burnham's home last summer. The Humane Society of Lackawanna County has been taking care of the pigs since then. Officials with the humane society said it costs $3,300 a month to care for pot belly pigs.
Burnham has 30 days to appeal the courts decision. If no appeal is filed the pigs become property of the SPCA. A humane society spokesperson said the pigs will be fixed and put up for adoption. Some of the pigs may also go to rescue shelters that specialize in that type of animal.
Burnham's attorney said he's not sure if they will appeal the courts decision. Officials with the humane society said pigs aren't something they normally have up for adoption. They hope they will be able to find a home for each one. Putting them down is not an option according to officials at the shelter.
Officials with the Humane Society of Lackawanna County said it costs more than $3,000 a month to take care of the more than 50 pot belly pigs. They even had to rent a barn to house them.
Wyoming County District Attorney George Skumanick said Marla Burnham of Meshoppen was ordered by a judge Wednesday to pay $21,427 in restitution. The judge also said she can't own another pig for at least 90 days.
Humane officers took the pigs from Burnham's home last summer. The Humane Society of Lackawanna County has been taking care of the pigs since then. Officials with the humane society said it costs $3,300 a month to care for pot belly pigs.
Burnham has 30 days to appeal the courts decision. If no appeal is filed the pigs become property of the SPCA. A humane society spokesperson said the pigs will be fixed and put up for adoption. Some of the pigs may also go to rescue shelters that specialize in that type of animal.
Burnham's attorney said he's not sure if they will appeal the courts decision. Officials with the humane society said pigs aren't something they normally have up for adoption. They hope they will be able to find a home for each one. Putting them down is not an option according to officials at the shelter.
