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More than 1,500 piglets on the loose after semi overturns in Ohio

XENIA, Ohio (WDTN) – An Ohio highway has reopened after a semi truck carrying a load of feeder pigs crashed in Greene County Monday night, shutting it down for hours.

The crash was reported at 7 p.m. and shut down both west and eastbound lanes of the US Route 35 bypass in Xenia.

There were multiple fire departments and law enforcement agencies on the scene throughout the night, as well as park rangers and farmers who worked to corral the pigs. A company from Cleveland was driving down to pick them up.

The truck was carrying 2,200 piglets. Dispatchers believe at least 300-400 pigs were killed. Another 1,500 were captured. The piglets were mostly in the wooded area near the crash scene.

Police say the truck was on the westbound ramp when he lost control and veered into a guardrail. There were two people traveling in the truck. The passenger suffered a minor injury and was transported to the hospital for treatment. The truck was en route from South Carolina to Indiana.

The live pigs are being taken to the Greene County Fairgrounds where they will be cared for properly.

Crews worked throughout the night, reopening the roadway around 2:30 Tuesday morning.

Authorities ask that if you see a piglet in your yard or on the road, call police. Police also worry that the pigs might attract coyotes looking for a meal.