PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — SPCA Tampa Bay is facing an animal cruelty citation from Pinellas County Animal Services over the care of a pig named “Waddles” over a two-week period last July.

The citation, as reported by News Channel 8, states that SPCA Tampa Bay, while responsible for Waddles, a white and grey pig, did not provide the necessary shelter, which led to significant skin injuries.

SPCA Tampa Bay’s president and CEO, Martha Boden, defended their actions, saying, “For the approximately two weeks Waddles was with us, our team checked on him daily. We ensured he ate well and tried to manage his discomfort, especially after noticing he was limping. I believe we offered him great care.”

Boden also noted that Waddles arrived at the shelter with several health issues, including skin problems, irregular eating habits, overgrown hooves, and a tusk issue.

“Waddles was facing a lengthy recovery, and we were aware it would take considerable time,” Boden explained. “We were eager to collaborate with community partners willing to continue his care, and we’re happy to see his recovery progressing well.”

Connie Laurie from Hillsborough County contacted her friend Kelly Dill, who runs the mini-pig rescue non-profit Pork Butt Pastures Inc., to discuss Waddles’ condition and future care.

“I just wanted to get eyes on him to see what was necessary for transport, but when I saw him, that’s when the game changed,” Dill said. “That’s when we knew we had to get him right there.”

Boden showed News Channel 8 media crews where Waddles had been staying while he was under the shelters care.

Multiple mud wallows both in and out of the shade were shown along with a barn area of where Waddles was allowed into when he so pleased.

However, citation records noted, “There was no shade in the pasture, man-made or natural, other than the pen.”

Medical records were also reviewed according to citation records, one of which pointing to sunburn:

In the medical record, on July 16 there is a note made stating he was limping, not eating and appeared to be sunburnt. In the same note it states a vet exam will be scheduled to get a proper dose for pain meds. There was no veterinary exam done on “Waddles” that was recorded after that note, pain meds and additional feeding alerts were started on July 17, but no other care mentioned for possible sunburn. When brought up, Martha stated they didn’t want to jump right to medication and made sure he was able to get into mud to keep himself covered.

“There was no other reason for Waddles to look the way he did,” Laurie said. “If Martha had provided everything already for him, he should not have been sunburned if he had shade. That’s all there is, it’s so simple.”

Boden told News Channel 8, the shelter is in disagreement with the allegations made in the citation and have sought legal counsel.

“There were allegations in it that we strongly disagree with,” Boden said. “He had access to a barn. He had, access to shade all throughout his pasture. So, if he didn’t want to go in the barn, he had shade all around the space and the shaded space all had mud.”

Dill took to TikTok and posted a video of Waddles’ physical state upon picking him up from the shelter:

SPCA Tampa Bay showed News Channel 8 a video of Waddles eating just days prior to Dill picking him up:

“Hopefully when, you know, everybody calms down a little bit, we can have a much more constructive conversation,” Boden said. “I understand the passion that people feel about animals, that’s what brings a lot of my team here, but when it goes off in this direction, when it turns into attacks, when it turns into nastiness, that doesn’t help.”

Boden said she her team has had to hire security personnel on site due to her staff receiving death threats on this matter as it has spread throughout social media.