Update (2 p.m., Monday, Feb. 6):

The pig that went flying off the back of a pickup truck in Woodbury has been claimed, according to a Pioneer Press report.

Original story

Woodbury police are looking for the public’s help to find the owner of a pig that went flying off the back of a pickup truck on Saturday.

The truck, described as a red Ford Ranger, was making a sharp turn near Springhill Drive and Tamarack Road when the animal, in a large blue barrel, went tumbling through the air and onto the ground, said Sgt. Curt Zacharias with the Woodbury Police Department.

The incident occurred on Saturday morning; witnesses did not get the license plate. Police suspect the animal was either stolen or involved in a prank.

“Generally, people who own livestock don’t drive in such a manner,” Zacharias said.

The pig, which was estimated at 200-250 pounds, had bruises on its snout but was otherwise all right. It’s now “resting comfortably” at the Animal Humane Society, Zacharias said.

Two citizens and a Woodbury community service officer were somehow able to get the pig back into the container.

“How they were able to get the pig back in that barrel and get the lid on is beyond me,” Zacharias said, noting that the CSO has no background in farming.

The pig is a black and white “feeder” pig and has a yellow tag with the number 525 on it, Zacharias said.

The Humane Society will hold the pig for the next five days or until the owner is found. If no one comes forward, the Minnesota Hooved Animal Rescue Foundation will take the pig, Zacharias said.

Those with information about the pig can call the Humane Society at 651-730-6008.