Louisiana Officials Catch 2 Men Releasing Feral Hogs Into the Wild

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With all of the destruction that feral hogs have caused in the south, I thought that pretty much everyone agreed that something has to be done to get rid of this terrible "pig-plague."  Unfortunately, I may have put a little too much faith into my fellow human's ability to understand the gravity of the situation - or too much faith in their desire to do the right thing.

According to the official press release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, 2 Pitkin, Louisiana men were cited earlier this month for the illegal transport and release of wild hogs.  Apparently, 20-year-old Brady Hardisty and 21-year-old Zachary McAlister were contacted by LDWF agents after seeing a video posted by Hardisty on social media showing the pair transporting the feral pigs and eventually turning them loose into the wilderness.

LDWF officials contacted Hardisty who admitted to (along with McAlister's assistance) transporting the hogs without the proper license and setting them free.  The pair was cited for the crime, but their troubles may have just begun.  According to the LDWF:

Illegally transporting live feral hogs brings up to a $900 fine and six months in jail.  Releasing live feral hogs into the wild carries a $400 to $950 fine and up to 120 days in jail.

On top of the legal ramifications, what Hardisty has admitted to just fuels an already out-of-control situation.  The USDA estimates that feral hogs cause about $2.5 billion in property damage every year.