Hog question #2

[esshup]

You stated:

The Indiana Code states an individual may not kill a domestic animal, including pigs, without permission of the owner. The statute states it is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the accused person reasonably believes the conduct was necessary to prevent injury to the accused person or another person, protect the property of the accused person from destruction or substantial damage, or prevent a seriously injured vertebrate animal from prolonged suffering. I have posted the Indiana Code below.

IC 35-46-3-12 Torture or mutilation of a vertebrate animal; killing a domestic animal


If a hog is free ranging and on your property, and has no visible ear tag, and no one locally is raising hogs, how would ownership be proven, or the owner be contacted?

[morrison]

An individual in your situation would be required to make a reasonable effort to meet the requirements of the statute. I would encourage an individual to read the statute, in its entirety, and base any actions upon the plain wording of the statute.