Feral Hogs with Pseudorabies Found in Panhandle

BEAVER, Okla. (AP) – State and local law enforcement authorities are working to eradicate feral swine that were illegally brought to the Oklahoma Panhandle and released and later tested positive for pseudorabies.

Pseudorabies is a viral disease that’s not considered a risk to humans, but can be transmitted to dogs, cattle, sheep, goats, cats and raccoons and can be fatal to those animals.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry said Wednesday that its agents with wildlife agents and local law enforcement in Beaver County conducted the eradication program and have arrested a man suspected of releasing the swine in the area.

The suspect, Wesley Dean Kirton, was charged with with felony counts of releasing feral swine into the wild, transporting feral swine without a transporter’s license, operating a feral swine handling facility without a license and cruelty to animals.

In addition to the disease, feral swine can also destroy crops such as corn, milo, wheat, hay, watermelon and peanuts.