Ohio Woman, 75, Fatally Attacked and Partially Eaten by Neighbor's Pigs on Christmas Day

A 75-year-old woman, Rebecca Westergaard, met a tragic end after being viciously attacked and partially consumed by her neighbor's pigs on Christmas Day, as reported by the Pataskala police.

The grim discovery was made when Westergaard's niece, concerned by her absence, requested a welfare check at her Pataskala residence. Tragically, Westergaard was found lifeless on her property, having fallen victim to the brutal assault by the swine that had strayed onto her premises.

Living alone, Westergaard was expected to pick up her niece that fateful morning but failed to appear, prompting the worrisome call that led to the harrowing revelation.

Describing the incident as "horrible, horrible," Pataskala Police Chief Bruce Brooks refrained from divulging further details pending the ongoing investigation into the distressing episode.

An autopsy is currently in progress to ascertain the precise cause of Westergaard's untimely demise, Brooks revealed, according to local sources.

The pigs responsible for the fatal attack were confirmed to belong to a neighboring resident; however, the potential legal repercussions for the owner remain uncertain at this juncture.

While the identity of the owner has not been disclosed, Pataskala City Councilwoman Mary Hite, who operates a nearby meat market, clarified that the animals in question were not under her care.

The fate of the pigs following the tragic incident remains undetermined, raising questions about the protocol for addressing aggressive behavior in farm animals under Ohio law.

Unlike cases involving pet dogs, where euthanasia is a common outcome in fatal attacks, the legal framework for handling similar incidents with farm animals is less defined in the state.

Chief Brooks highlighted the ambiguity, stating, "If it was a pit bull or a Rottweiler, or any of the other 15 dogs classified as semi-aggressive, then we would have a clear course of action. However, dealing with farm animals presents a novel challenge for us."