Texas cities are preparing for trouble as temperatures cool, and it’s coming on four legs. From torn-up lawns to damaged public spaces, feral hogs are becoming an increasingly costly headache. Now, officials in several cities are taking new steps to get the invasive animals under control.
Texas is home to more than 3 million feral hogs, also known as wild pigs, which have spread to 253 of the state’s 254 counties. The animals use their snouts to dig through soil in search of food, tearing up lawns, parks and natural habitats. They can also spread diseases and cause millions of dollars in damage.
In the Houston area, Sugar Land is asking residents to help track the unwelcome visitors before deciding how to deal with them. On Oct. 1, the city launched a 90-day assessment to identify where hogs are living, traveling and causing the most damage…