Campbell abused pig standing, rooting around at Ravenna Sanctuary
A Campbell couple had their first hearing in Campbell municipal court on Friday on animal abuse and other charges after police say they were keeping a 300-plus-pound pig in a “dungeon-like” basement of their home.
Shawn Kline, 27, and Cortney Kline-Carnes, 35, are charged with animal cruelty, violations concerning prohibited animals, and keeping swine.
In addition, Shawn Kline is also charged with aggravated menacing, and Cortney Kline-Carnes is charged with obstructing official business.
Shawn Kline received a $1,000 bond on the aggravated menacing charge, and both he and his wife were released on their own recognizance for the other charges.
21 News has received notice that the pig named Oreo, which was so obese it wasn't able to stand and get to its water supply when rescued, was standing on its own and starting to root around (or push things with its snout as pigs do). The pig was taken to Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary in Ravenna.
On July 8, accompanied by a farm animal rescue group, police got a warrant to search the couple’s home on Chambers Avenue after receiving reports the couple had a pig in their basement.
When no one answered the door, police forced their way into the home where they say they found the pig, so obese it was unable to walk to its water supply.
According to the report, the basement where the animal was kept smelled of urine, and had no windows or artificial lighting, describing it as a “dungeon-like setting”.
In addition, police say the pig’s hooves were overgrown, and the pig was possibly suffering from arthritis.
It took six people to move the pig from the basement by rolling it onto a stretcher and carrying the animal outside.
During the search, police say they got a call from Shawn Kline threatening to kill the officers if they removed the pig.
The Klines told officers that the pig “Oreo” is an emotional support animal that they have owned since it was a piglet.
Both Kline and Kline-Carnes have their next scheduled hearing in Campbell municipal court on Aug. 2 at 11 a.m.
