Pigs shot after escaping from semi-trailer on I-69

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Three pigs escaped a hauler on I-69 around 2:45 Friday morning.

Yup, you read that right.

According to police, a driver on northbound I-69 called 911 to report he was following a pig carrier and that pigs were falling out of the back of the truck onto the highway.

Police said at least three pigs escaped between mile marker 104 and mile marker 109.

State police and Fort Wayne police officers shot and killed all three pigs for safety reasons.

Police said they considered it lucky that no one hit the 400 pound animals.

Animal Care and Control was called to help remove the pigs. Police were not sure if the pigs could be sent to a slaughter house and possibly donated to a rescue mission.

Police said the pigs were putting their snouts under the door at the rear of the trailer, pushing it up, and falling out of the back onto the highway. At least one of the pigs was badly injured from falling out.

Police said the driver would likely not be issued any citations for a leaking load, since they considered the incident an accident.

I-69 northbound was closed at Illinois Road briefly while police shot one of the pigs, it has since reopened.