Wildlife rescuers fear three pigs and a piglet found in the Wombat State Forest near Bullengarook last week had been dumped.
Five Freedoms Animal Rescue’s Manfred Zabinskas came across two of the pigs while attending a call-out to help an injured joey on July 22.
He said the pigs were “desperate for food” and in a horrible condition.
Mr Zabinskas called his partner, Helen Round and asked her to bring food for the pigs, while he made arrangements for them to be taken to animal sanctuary Edgar’s Mission to be treated and rehabilitated.
A passing motorist alerted the couple to another pig and piglet he had found injured nearby.
The sow had suffered a serious foot injury and was covered in blood and unable to stand.
Ms Round said she was concerned the pigs had been neglected before being dumped. They were infested with mange, lice and ticks.
“The were emaciated …” she said.
“With the harsh weather they wouldn’t have survived [in the forest]. They would have died of exposure.”
Ms Round said it wasn’t unusual to come across pigs in the forest, with people often dumping pigs there so they can be hunted later.
However, she did not believe this was to be the fate of these pigs which she described as friendly.
“There were lovely, friendly pigs and up for pats,” Ms Round said. “They were obviously loved by someone once before.
“I want people to know that there are things you can do. You don’t have to dump them. The could have been handed over to the RSPCA.”
Anyone with information about the pigs is urged to contact the RSPCA on 9224 2222 or via rspcavic.org/services/inspectorate/report-cruelty
