Free Republic

Though some people may call them "cute", Javelinas are arguably rather ugly animals and possess a rather unpleasant odor which is why some people refer to them as "musk hogs". They aren't wild pigs but are actually members of the "peccary" family that originated in South America. They have become accustomed to being in close proximity to humans and will generally ignore people. If you try and approach them. they will simply leave the area, but if provoked and threatened they've been known to defend themselves with their long, sharp tusks.The colorization of the Javelina is peppered black, gray and...

Heading into the Pima Pet Clinic, Tracy Gordon holds Tino, who received a large bite on the neck during a javelina attack. Another of her Chihuahuas, Peatree, was in critical condition Thursday afternoon. Gordon's leg was bitten, and she was treated at Tucson Medical Center. chris richards / arizona daily star At 7:15 a.m. Wednesday, Gordon and her three Chihuahuas were attacked by a pack of javelinas, an unusual moment because Gordon's previous encounters with them on her daily walks were always uneventful. It started with one javelina sighting on Snyder, near North Sabino Canyon Road. The javelina charged...