Bernie Mont
•7/30/2026
Families in Lehigh Acres are hoping federal funding will help address the growing problem of wild hogs, which have caused significant damage to homes. In September 2025, a 300-pound wild pig broke into Edward Wells' living room. "I was sitting here fiddling with the iPad, and suddenly there was, like, an explosion. I thought, what the hell is going on?" Wells said. Lee County deputies managed to scare the hog out of the house, but Wells' daughter, Stacy, said the issue extends far beyond their neighborhood. "A feral pig broke into our house, stood there and gave my dog an injury which required six stitches and cost $600. That's minor compared to the damages being done across this country," Stacy Wells said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates wild hogs cause $3.4 billion in damage annually. "That's an enormous amount of money, and we're putting $35 million towards solving it," Stacy Wells said. The USDA is making $35 million available for partnerships to address the issue, inviting 14 states, including Florida, to apply as part of a broader $105 million pig control program. "It seems too little, too late," Stacy Wells said. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said wild hogs can be trapped and hunted year-round on private property. It also said the best way to avoid conflict with a wild hog is to not feed or approach it. Edward Wells expressed concern about the dangers posed by the growing wild pig population. "I really believe someone's going to get really hurt if not killed, you know?" Wells said. Stacy Wells reflected on the incident, calling it "the weirdest, most bizarre, and most dangerous thing that has ever happened to us." The deadline for states to apply for a part of the $35 million allowance is Sept. 21. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
