Update: Wild boar kept as SF house pet finds new, more suitable home

Update: Spirit, the wild boar plucked from wilderness near Mt. Shasta and kept as a pet in San Francisco, has found a new home at Windswept Ranch, San Francisco Animal Care and Control officials said. The handsome pig will keep company with other rescued animals, including alpacas and reindeer, at the Tehachapi ranch.

According to SF Animal Care spokesperson Deb Campbell, the pig left the facility the same way it arrived – on a leash.

End of update.

San Francisco residents learned firsthand this week why one should not bring a baby wild boar into a human abode.

For one, it's against state law. So too, young pigs tend to expand – and fast.

The San Franciscans found the young swine, whom they named Spirit, in the mountains near Mount Shasta in August. As summer turned to autumn the piglet grew, and grew, and grew.

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The owners surrendered their pet pig to San Francisco Animal Care and Control on Tuesday. The "friendly swine" trotted onto the premises wearing a leash and harness, Animal Care said in a statement.

This is the first time a wild boar has been surrendered to the agency, Animal Care spokeswoman Deb Campbell said.

Spirit, the wild boar kept as a pet by San Francisco residents, has found a home at Windswept Ranch Rescue in Tehachapi, Calif. Spirit, the wild boar kept as a pet by San Francisco residents, has found a home at Windswept Ranch Rescue in Tehachapi, Calif. Photo: Josh Norem, Josh Norem/Courtesy Of SF Animal Care & Control Photo: Josh Norem, Josh Norem/Courtesy Of SF Animal Care & Control Image 1 of / 12 Caption Close Update: Wild boar kept as SF house pet finds new, more suitable home 1 / 12 Back to Gallery

The agency has yet to determine where to place Spirit, but some sanctuaries and wildlife rehabilitators have volunteered their services.

Possessing or transporting wildlife is illegal in California and fines for violations can go up to $10,000. Interfering with a wild animal can lead to a loss of the creature's "natural wariness of humans" and ultimately result in its destruction, Animal Care said.

Animal Care Executive Director Virginia Donohue urges people to "keep wildlife wild."

"So many issues with wild animals start with well-meaning people doing the wrong thing," she said.

Michelle Robertson is an SFGATE staff writer. Email her at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com or find her on Twitter at @mrobertsonsf.