Higbee farm pig becomes a sheep herding hero after a dog attack

Higbee, MO – Most people have a herding dog, but for the Lenz family it’s more of a herding pig.

Lindsay and Curt Lenz own a farm in Higbee, and their one-and-a-half-year-old pig Possum has taken on the role of herding sheep.

Lindsay said she first noticed Possum’s love of herding after he got into trouble and had to take time off.

“One day he got into trouble for getting into the food cans in the store, so we locked him in the herd. They were out in their extension and later that afternoon I looked up and the sheep were running in a straight line towards the gate and he was on their heels, driving them in,” Lindsay added.

Lindsay said Possum has become the unlikely protector of her sheep since that day, even going viral on TikTok after the couple shared a video of his unique talent.

The videos gained him a following, but his greatest feat cost him an ear.

“I came out that morning and heard the dogs barking and the pigs squealing and saw Possum with dogs attacking him in our pasture,” Curt explained.

According to the couple, it was the first time the family had experienced stray dogs attacking their livestock.

They said Possum fought back against the dogs but sustained serious injuries, including multiple bites all over her body, and the worst injury was a torn ear.

“His ear cartilage was completely torn off, which the vet said required amazing strength,” Lindsay explained.

Possum’s medical bills total nearly $20,000, but thanks to his TikTok fans, donations poured in to help fund his treatment.

However, Lindsay said that Possum is not quite himself yet, but is resilient and on a long road to recovery.

“I think it’s knocked his confidence down a little bit, and I mean, that’s a big trauma that he’s experienced. It will take some time for him to fully come to terms with this. We are both veterans, so we understand trauma,” Lindsay explained.

However, Lindsay allows the possum to spend a few hours each day with his sheep while he continues to recover.

“For some reason he loves her. We don’t know if he thinks he is a sheep, a goat, or a dog protecting the sheep and goats. We never intended him to be a herd guardian. I mean, he likes it.” “We look after the animals, but we never thought he would protect them,” Lindsay shared.

The couple said Possum needs long-term care to prevent infections. They are working with a friend to 3D print a small prosthetic ear so that the herding pig can return to his daily life.