The BND reported a pet pot-bellied pig was shot and killed by the Fairview Heights Police Department on Dec. 2 at approximately 9 a.m. Since then I've learned that it was an officer Jason Totel, Unit 69, that delivered the fatal coup de grace to the abandoned pet. It's not known what higher ranking officer authorized the use of deadly force, but supposedly the FHPD is conducting an investigation of the shooting.

On the fateful day that the pet was found behind a church, the Fairview Heights Animal Control was on the scene and asked St. Clair County Animal Control Director, Jim Jacquot, for an animal tranquilizer dart gun to help capture the pet. Jacquot, whose unit should be licensed by the Drug Enforcement Agency to administer animal tranquilizer drugs, responded that he didn't have the proper chemicals to handle this animal.

Jacquot's failure to render assistance to a municipality under its jurisdiction needs to be thoroughly investigated. If found that Jacquot didn't do his job the County Board Chairman Mark Kern needs to assess the Animal Control director's future employment with the county.

It's a shame for all the authorities involved in this unfortunate event that the pet was not live captured and turned over to a pig sanctuary for future placement in a new home. As it turned out, it was given no chance but a death sentence. Someone needs to be held accountable, and answer to their shortcomings.

Paula McGowen

Glen Ellyn