Pig in cruelty case dead

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A pet potbellied pig at the center of an animal cruelty case in Winona, Minn., has died of unknown causes, the animal's owner said.

Michelle Schmitz said her boyfriend called at about 4 p.m. Tuesday to say the pig, Alaina Templeton, had been unresponsive when he tried to feed it a pear, The Winona Daily News reported Thursday.

Schmitz said Alaina was wrapped in a blanket and buried on her uncle's farm south of the town.

"I can't believe she's dead," Schmitz said Wednesday. "It doesn't seem real."

The pig was at the center of an animal cruelty case involving a former caretaker. Schmitz said the animal required surgery in February 2007 and she left Alaina in the care of Mary Josephine Beesecker. Schmitz said she became worried because Beesecker was not returning her phone calls, so she retrieved her pet in October 2007 -- to find it had gained 100 pounds and required surgery to remove an elastic collar.

Beesecker was charged with animal cruelty and neglect for allegedly allowing the collar to become imbedded and infected. She is due in court Jan. 14.