Derrick came to us with a reputation — we were told he was "too aggressive" and "unadoptable." No one else would take him, but we knew better than to write off a pig based on fear and misunderstanding. So we welcomed Derrick, along with his longtime companion Clive, into our rescue family.
The first few months with Derrick were not easy. He was deeply anxious, constantly pacing and trying to break through fencing. He was wildly aggressive, unpredictable, and clearly in distress. Tragically, he even gored one of our caregivers — one of the worst pig gores we’ve ever seen. It was clear this behavior came from a place of intense pain, fear, and neglect.
We coined the nickname “Murder Panda” for his panda like appearance and his murderous tendencies.
Shortly after his arrival, we took Derrick (and Clive) to Cornell for a full checkup, including a dental exam and neutering. That’s when we discovered the root of much of Derrick’s suffering: a fractured tusk that had gone untreated for over a year. He was likely in excruciating pain every single day. We were able to extract the broken tusk and two additional teeth — and after his surgery, everything began to change.
Once Derrick was free of pain, and as the effects of neutering settled in, his true self began to emerge. Within weeks, this once-fearful and reactive pig was asking for belly rubs. Now? Derrick is a total lovebug. He barks joyfully when he sees us coming, wiggles with excitement, and leans into every hug and scratch like he’s soaking up years of missed affection.
Derrick is now a happy, healthy boy who reminds us every day that healing is possible. “Murder Panda” no more, now just “Panda”. With patience, proper care, and unconditional love, he has transformed into the sweet, affectionate pig he was always meant to be. He’s living proof that every animal deserves a second chance — and that sometimes, the most "difficult" ones end up teaching us the most.