UPDATE: As Tabitha continues to recover – a $5000 reward is offered to help solve the case.

It’s a disturbing crime and it looks like PETA is stepping in to help find the person or persons responsible.

Humane Authorities are investigating the incident but have not made any arrests at this point – which is why PETA is offering a reward of up to $5000 for information leading to the arrest and cruelty-to-animals conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime. Call PETA with tips to be eligible for reward – 202-483-7392

Sometimes all we can do is shake our heads in disbelief.

This little piggy was found stabbed, wandering in a backyard in Sloan earlier this month. It’s hard to even imagine who would do something so horrific. That is not the focus here – it’s about the good guys in the story – not the bad guys.

The pig is being cared for by the caring folks at the Erie County SPCA. Gina Browning, Director of Public Relations for the facility says it was touch-and-go, “We didn’t know. I wanted to say, you’re going to be fine but we just didn’t know. I cried all weekend.”

Tabitha, as she’s been lovingly named – proved just how tough she is. Although her recovery started out slow, she is now responding beautifully. So great, in fact – that her staples and stitches might be removed in a few days. Gina tells me Tabitha is being spoiled with apples and lots of attention, “It’s a miracle. After 26 years here – I never get tired of seeing that fight for survival. She is so spirited. That is one spirited pig.”

Anyone with any information on who may have committed this horrific act of cruelty is urged to call 629-3520 (you can remain anonymous). Any tip – even small – might help this investigation.

We salute the folks at the SPCA – who work tirelessly to help defenseless, vulnerable animals – like Tabitha. We also salute Tabitha – who’s proving what the will to live is all about!

Thank you to our friends at the Erie County SPCA for sharing these photos with us.