Wild pigs destroying yards in San Jose neighborhood

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - Wild boars are at it again tearing up lawns in a San Jose neighborhood. Homeowners said the pigs aren't just a nuisance but a safety concern. The pigs are coming from a vast open space area and are active at night.
　
It's becoming quite a mess in San Jose's East Foothills. Homeowners discovered their lawns in ruins and they say the damage is caused by hungry wild boars.

"When you see this much damage it's pretty obvious that's the pigs and it's defnitely more than one pig" said Ron Coopersmith of San Jose.
　
Coopersmith's lawn is one of more than a handful hit in the last week, some repeatedly and he considers himself lucky. His lawn is not as bad as his neighbors on Running Springs Road. He said a pack of feral pigs are coming from ranchland across the street.
　
"As it keeps getting more and more dry there's less food for them out there so they come in here and they are grubbing," said Coopersmith. "They are looking for grub, looking for worms."
　
A few years back, neighbors reinforced a fence with barbed wire, but they suspect, the pigs have found a hole. One neighbor is resorting to flashing red lights to scare them away. Brian Hon is worried about his dog.
　
"I walk Chloe our little dog here in the morning and night," said Hon. "I have some fears if the boars started attacking her what would I do?"
　
"They can be very violent," said Andy Pangelina of Creature Catchers. "They will charge right at you."

Andy Pangelina is a licensed trapper. He said, pigs are active this time of year fattening up for the winter. He suggests homeowners put up a temporary plastic or metal fence around their lawn to keep them away and if confronted, make noise. He said, whatever you do, don't approach them as they can be dangerous.

"It will continue, as long as there's a food source here," said Pangelina. "They will keep on coming back. They want to get to those tasty grubs."
　
In San Jose, it's illegal to shoot and kill wild pigs unless you have a license from Fish and Wildlife and then only in traps. For now, neighbors said, they're looking at fixing the fence and being extra vigilant.