Piglet rescued, adopted by state rep. after being tossed like ‘Nerf football’ at Mardi Gras party
This little piggie went to the Mardi Gras — and almost didn’t make it home.
A piglet is getting a new lease on life after rowdy Mardi Gras revelers ruthlessly tossed him around “like a Nerf football.”
The creature — aptly named “Piglet” — was adopted by Louisiana state Rep. Lauren Ventrella Monday.
The alleged pig-tossing occurred during New Orleans’ notorious Carnival season, which fell between Feb. 8 and 13 this year, according to the Humane Society of Louisiana.
“The rowdiness, endless parades, and party-like atmosphere often lend themselves to questionable behavior — like how three grown men behaved a few days ago,” the organization’s director Jeff Dorson said on Facebook.
A bystander witnessed the trio laughing as they threw “what she thought was a Nerf football” — which she quickly realized to her horror was actually a baby pig.
The witness somehow convinced the men to hand over the pig.
It remained a mystery how the pig found himself at the massive party.
Piglet was then brought to the Humane Society of Louisiana, where he spent days recovering from the traumatic incident while unwittingly becoming an instant celebrity.
The animal advocacy group seized Piglet’s fame to kickstart a fundraiser to help pay for the youngster’s stay, as well as the group’s three animal sanctuaries.
For $5, donors would receive a digital “swine” kiss — an enticing exchange that helped the Human Society raise more than $1,500.
Dozens of animal lovers applied to adopt Piglet during its weeks-long stay at the Humane Society, but the animal rights group opted to allow him to live out his new life with Ventrella.
The Republican owns a 14-acre farm sanctuary, where Piglet will live amongst babydoll sheep, goats, miniature donkeys, emu and horses — and even a 100-year-old tortoise named Eugene, Ventrella’s campaign website states.
When he is fully grown, the pint-sized Piglet will weigh as much as 80 pounds.
