Feral Hogs Wreak Havoc in Mesquite Neighborhood

Resident calls on city to address surge in destructive feral hog sightings

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:12pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen print featuring a repeated image of a feral hog in a vibrant neon color palette, conceptually representing the surge of these destructive animals in suburban neighborhoods.A community overrun by destructive feral hogs seeks solutions as local officials struggle to address the growing problem.Mesquite Today

A resident in Mesquite, Texas is pressing city officials to address a surge in feral hog sightings in his neighborhood, as the animals have caused thousands of dollars in damage to yards and raised public safety concerns. The hogs have been spotted roaming in packs of up to 10 at night, tearing up flowerbeds and lawns, with the resident proposing fencing off a nearby wooded area to block their access.

Why it matters

Feral hogs are an increasing problem in many suburban and exurban areas across Texas, causing significant property damage and posing risks to public safety. However, many local governments lack the resources and expertise to effectively trap and remove these destructive animals, leaving residents to fend for themselves.

The details

Ted Faulkner, a 17-year resident of Mesquite's Falcons Lair neighborhood, has recorded videos showing packs of about six to 10 feral hogs racing through the area at night. The hogs have ruined Faulkner's flowerbed, prompting him to switch to a rock garden, and he estimates the animals have caused several thousand dollars in damage. Faulkner has warned neighbors not to walk outside after dark due to the public safety risk, as the startled hogs could potentially attack. He has reached out to the city's animal control and management offices, but Mesquite lacks the capability to trap and remove the feral hogs.

  • Faulkner first encountered the hogs and switched to a rock garden within the first two months of moving into his home 17 years ago.
  • The hog activity has intensified in the last six weeks, with Faulkner recording videos of the packs.
  • Faulkner has made three separate reports to the city about the feral hog issue in recent months.

The players

Ted Faulkner

A 17-year resident of the Falcons Lair neighborhood in Mesquite, Texas who has been pressing city officials to address a surge in destructive feral hog sightings in his area.

Mesquite

The city in Texas where Faulkner's neighborhood is located, which lacks the resources and expertise to effectively trap and remove the feral hogs causing problems for residents.

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What they’re saying

“All of this damage that you're looking at was done by feral hogs within the last six weeks.”

— Ted Faulkner, Mesquite Resident

“I've warned people in the neighborhood, 'do not walk out here after dark because you might encounter the hogs, they become frightened, and they might attack.' That's the biggest concern is public safety.”

— Ted Faulkner, Mesquite Resident

“They could probably get a part-time job working for an excavation company... We're talking about several thousand dollars of damage.”

— Ted Faulkner, Mesquite Resident

What’s next

The assistant city manager in Mesquite has said they have contacted Texas Parks and Wildlife to see if they can get assistance, as the city does not have the capability to trap the feral hogs on its own.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing challenge that suburban and exurban communities across Texas face in dealing with the surge of destructive feral hog populations, as local governments often lack the resources and expertise to effectively manage the problem. It underscores the need for greater coordination and support between cities, counties, and state wildlife agencies to develop comprehensive strategies to control feral hog populations and mitigate the damage they cause to residential areas.