MOUNTAIN PINE, Ark. (Legal Newsline) — An Arkansas couple allege in a recent lawsuit that police officers shot and killed their pigs after they escaped from their family farm.
Cesar Mendoza and Jamie Mendoza filed a complaint Aug. 28 in the Circuit Court of Garland County against Hot Springs Village Property, Hot Springs Village Police Department, Village Animal Control Authority and other claims.
According to their complaint, the Mendozas own a family farm in Hot Springs that includes domesticated pigs. They claim that in April of 2023, a flash flood caused creeks in the area to wash out a corner of the fencing where the pigs were housed.
The Mendozas allege the pigs escaped and roamed outside the farm, where they were contained by Hot Springs Police Officers for hours. They claim they were never contacted about their pigs being located and that the pigs were mostly peaceful.
The Mendozas further claim that within a few hours, the police shot and killed eight of their pigs and wounded another two. They allege Hot Springs Animal Control failed to obtain the bodies of their pigs and that they were told that "some took it upon themselves to take some." They also allege Hot Springs Police falsely publicly commented that the pigs had threatened people and property.
The Medozas seek monetary relief, interest and all other just relief. They are represented by Amy Clemmons Brown McMullan and Brown in Benton.
Circuit Court of Garland County case number 26CV-23-945