Koa was left to die in the woods in Ohio, but was saved by PETA

After being knocked down, Koa the Pig is back up again.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals first encountered Koa in Ohio, after the animal was beaten with a crowbar by his previous owner. Koa ran away from his abuser and into the woods. This is where he was found, slowly bleeding to death with maggots growing in his wounds.

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When the rescuers got to Koa, they immediately rushed him to emergency surgery at the Ohio State University Veterinary Hospital. During the procedure, surgeons had to remove one of the pig’s ears because of his injuries, but the pet left the operating room with his life.

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Since then, things have only improved for the sweet swine, whose name means warrior in Hawaiian. Koa spent several weeks in intensive care and then was moved to a local animal sanctuary. At the sanctuary, he found his forever family, who brought him to Medina, Ohio, to start a new life.