Waddles the pig was relinquished to the SPCA Tampa Bay as an owner surrender on July 10, 2025. He arrived with normal appearing skin consistent with a pink-skinned pig living in Florida. A networking pig rescue alerted Kelly Dill of Pork Butt Pastures of Waddle’s deteriorating condition. Kelly visited Waddles at the agency on the 15th.
During the time required to make necessary arrangements at her rescue to receive him on July 24th, Waddles remained at the SPCATB. He was not provided protection from the blistering Florida sun, adequate nutrition, or adequate medical care, despite him being pastured within site of CEO Martha Boden’s office window. He suffered for 14 days.
Pinellas County Animal Services was contacted by concerned volunteers regarding Waddles neglect at the SPCATB. This eventually led to an investigation and citation for animal cruelty against the agency.
SPCATB CEO Martha Boden denied the investigator’s documented findings which were inconsistent with information she provided. The evidence was overwhelming to contest the charges and the agency pleaded guilty.
The story of Waddles’ cruelty attracted more than 4.5M internatinal viewers on TikTok. That account disappeared after it was discovered hacked on August 24th.
Who could and who would want make disappear a pig’s documentation of cruelty on TikTok?
Society for the “Prevention” of Cruelty to Animals? What is an oxymoron?
https://www.fox13news.com/news/spca-tampa-bay-cited-after-waddles-pig-found-suffering-burned-skin