Meet Waddles: The 350-pound pig at the center of animal cruelty trial

The Brief

  • A 350-pound pig named Waddles is at the center of an SPCA Tampa Bay animal cruelty trial in Pinellas County.
  • Pinellas County Animal Services cited SPCA in 2025 after animal supporters said the pig was left in the sun with severe sunburns.
  • This week, a judge denied the SPCA’s motion to dismiss the case, setting up a non-jury trial to begin Wednesday.

LITHIA, Fla. A legal battle in the case of a 350-pound pig named Waddles is heating up ahead of a non-jury trial Wednesday, following allegations that SPCA Tampa Bay left the animal to roast in the hot Florida sun.

Pinellas County legal dispute

What we know:

Exactly one year ago Friday, Kelly Dill — founder of the pig rescue, Pork Butt Pastures — said she saw Waddles at SPCA Tampa Bay in-person for the first time, and she rescued him.

PREVIOUS: SPCA of Tampa Bay cited after Waddles the pig found suffering with burned skin

Story continues

TRENDING NOW

LATEST LOCAL NEWS