MEGGETT, SC (WCSC) -
The man accused of shooting a pig previously pardoned by Piggly Wiggly that escaped from the nonprofit organization LEARN last month has requested a jury trial.
David Ashmore, 26, was charged with malicious injury to animals and was ordered to pay $1,092 after Charleston County sheriff's deputies say he shot the pig, Maggie, on Ethel Post Office Road on Apr. 9.
Ashmore was scheduled to appear in magistrate's court on Wednesday, but has instead requested a jury trial.
Deputies said Maggie broke out of her pig pen along with another pig, and began roaming towards a nearby farm.
The owner of the pigs, Elizabeth Steed of LEARN, was alerted they escaped by neighbors, deputies say. Steed came to care for Maggie after she was "pardoned" by Piggly Wiggly as a part of their "National Pig Day" campaign two years ago. LEARN assists local Animal Control departments by caring for and housing abused and neglected farm animals.
The report states Ashmore saw Maggie on the side of Ethel Post Office Road while he was driving, went home to get a 9mm handgun, and later shot the pig twice in the upper and lower front shoulder.
The motorist told deputies he shot the pig because it was running in and out of the roadway and he was afraid someone would hit it, causing a major accident.
Maggie, a brown and pink pig, weighed around 800 pounds, according to the pig's owner.
Witnesses at the scene said they heard Ashmore say he was going to shoot the pig and take it to Burbage Meats, a slaughterhouse.
The other pig who escaped, named Peaches, was recovered according to Steed, who also said, "Surely all pigs go to heaven, especially our girl Maggie."
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Maggie was 'pardoned' by Piggly Wiggly. (Source: Facebook)
Maggie is displayed outside Piggly Wiggly several years ago. (Source: Facebook)
