Crime & Safety

State Dismisses Concerns About Suitability of Woodbridge Farm for Pig

A Connecticut Animal Control officer visited Wikfors' farm to assess conditions after concerns were raised about its suitability for a pig that had been brought there from the Woodbridge Dog Pound.


The pig known as Parker A. Porker is staying put.

After spending several months at Woodbridge Animal Control, Parker and a number of birds were recently relocated to a farm in town, owned by Elizabeth "Woozie" Wikfors. But the move quickly drew concern from some.

Wikfors property, home of WalkingWood Farm, is located at 104 Seymour Road in Woodbridge. The farm is well known for its emu eggs, but also sells rabbits and poultry, according to a Hartford Courant article.

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Along with other residents, Kathleen Schurman, owner of Locket’s Meadow Rescue and Sanctuary in Bethany, has been vocal in her concern about the welfare of the pig and birds that were taken to Wikfors' farm.

Schurman has organized demonstrations protesting the town's actions in this incident, the latest of which was held last week at Woodbridge Town Hall. She also penned a letter to First Selectman Ed Sheehy dated Jan. 16, which she posted on the Locket’s Meadow Rescue and Sanctuary Facebook page. It reads, in part:

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"As a concerned citizen, taxpayer and animal rescuer, I ask that the town reclaim the animals from Elizabeth Wikfors as they were wrongly and dangerously placed there. I request that our animal control officers, trained professionals who know how to correctly assess potential adopters, be allowed to find them safe and appropriate homes. I also ask that a team of animal professionals be assembled to make a welfare check at Wikfors’ farm immediately. This team should include a veterinarian such as Dr. Kim McClure who specializes in large and small animal care, as well as at least one of our ACOs who would be able to identify each of the hens, roosters, fowl, etc. that were placed there. If any of the confiscated animals are not on site, the team should find out their location and assess their situations, as well."

In response to the concerns raised by residents as well as Woodbridge Animal Control Officers, an investigator with the State Animal Control department joined Sgt. Edward Thomas for an inspection of Wikfors' farm on Jan. 16.

In the report, the investigator writes, "Wikfors appeared to be knowledgeable about the animals housed on her farm. She owns several different types of animals, including sheep, chickens, rabbits, ducks, quail, emus and a llama."

The pig is housed in an enclosure which allows it free run of a fenced in area that is approximately 1,800 square feet. It also has access to two large stalls in the barn, where the pig can run in and out of freely, the report states.

"The pig shares this enclosure with his buddies, two sheep that we were told he gets along with famously. The emu and ducks also are housed in the same pen," the report continues. "We observed the animals for approximately 30 minutes and saw no issues with the animals getting along. In fact, the emus seemed to ignore the pig altogether. The pig appeared in good health. I observed the pig rooting, which tells me the pig was not in any sort of distress."

The investigating officer also noted that a goose brought to the farm from the Woodbridge Dog Pound appeared to be in good health.

"The enclosures that the animals were kept in were sufficiently cleaned, had dry bedding and hay as well as fresh feed and water. It is my opinion that the housing provided for the animals is more than adequate."

According to an article by New Haven Register reporter Bridget Albert, some of the animals brought to Wikfors' farm, including four guinea hens and a peacock, have already been relocated.

As for the pig, “[Police] Sgt. [Ed] Thomas made me cross my heart and swear I would not eat Parker. He repeatedly did. He really liked Parker,” Wikfors told the Register.


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