Feral pigs and dogs have caused such significant damage at an Oklahoma cemetery that officials and residents are trying to raise money for a new fence around the property. Salina Mayor Randall Plumlee said the pigs and dogs have dug the ground on grave sites and around headstones and created problems for families with loved ones buried in the cemetery. They have begun a GoFundMe campaign to try to raise $50,000 for a new, better fence around the cemetery grounds.
“We have had problems with stray dogs and wild pigs out here in the area, which causes destruction in the grounds on people’s headstones and on the burial plots,” Plumlee told Fox 23 Tulsa KOKI. “Then, the dogs cause a nuisance out here to people that have family members buried. They come out here to see their loved ones, and sometimes they’re met with a herd of dogs. So, we’re trying to raise some money to finish fencing the entire cemetery.”
Plumlee said the cemetery has more than 2,000 plots. Salina is about 55 miles northeast of Tulsa, located on Lake Hudson, with a population of about 1,800. Raising the money was one option town officials turned to after exploring other financial options.
“It’s been a year. Inflation [and] all other things going on factor so that’s why we put it on there for $50,000. Also, we had a bid back a year ago that said $59,000 and that was to redo the entire fence all the way around — brand new,” he said. “We do care. It’s just a financial problem and that’s everywhere you go. There are issues with rising costs, inflation, everything that happens. We have to try to find unique ways to do things and make those dollars stretch.”
