By: Alexandra Cowley
acowley@abc6.com
UPDATE: The Vietnamese Potbelly pig, under scrutiny after allegations of neglect, has been removed from Bonniedale Farm and is at a rescue this Morning. The farms owner, Dan McKenzie, was accused of improperly handling Delilah.
The Rhode Island SPCA paid the farm a visit Friday to investigate after getting complaints about the pig, Delilah's condition.
McKenzie pleaded not guilty to charges of animal neglect in a separate case earlier this Month.
New claims of neglect against a Rhode Island farm owner, this time over a pot belly pig. The RISPCA showed up to the farm Friday Morning investigate.
Spend just a few moments with Delilah and you fall in love. The Vietnamese Pot Belly Pig snuggles right up to our camera.
Dr. E. J. Finocchio of the RISPCA has spent more than just a few moments with Delilah, because he's monitoring her health, after receiving numberous complaints of abuse.
"This is not their natural habitat to be living in these types of conditions," said Finocchio. "She's not being adequately fed, and being adequately protected from the elements," he said.
A native of Vietnam, Dr. Finocchio says Delilah needs warmer conditions, than the ones she's in. He's seen her three times since November, and says her condition is worsening.
Finocchio says, "She is steadily losing weight in my opinion, and unfortunately we'd have to wait until something drastic happens before we take action."
One of the complaints was made by Kathy Larance, who rents a portion of the farm for her two horses.
"He's collecting donations to feed these animals and take care of them and he's not doing that at all,"said Larance.
Larance is referring to Dan McKenzie, the owner of Bonniedale Farm. McKenzie was just in court facing charges of animal neglect because of the emaciated horse kept on his property.
"I don't kill animals, I rehab them," said McKenzie.
Mckenzie pled not guilty to those charges and he says hes not guilty now.
"She's the same as she was when I brought her in a year ago,"he said.
Dr. Finocchio says under Rhode Island law, McKenzie isn't doing anything illegal.
"Theres nothing that I can do," said Finocchio.
As for the prior case, he's expected back in court in April.
