MICHAEL SANFORD arrested for shooting his neighbor’s hog

- Tennessee, USA -

The Cocke County Sheriff's Office arrested 64-year-old MICHAEL SANFORD (pictured).

On November 27, 2025, Deputy Jacob Dameran was dispatched to Moonglow Road in Newport in reference to a hog charging at people. While en route, Deputy Dameran was advised that the hog had been shot, and SANFORD was identified as the shooter.

On arrival, Deputy Dameran found the approximately 500-pound hog close to death at the property line of Justin Williams, the hog’s guardian.

When SANFORD was interviewed regarding the shooting, he changed “his story a few times” stated the report. Eventually, SANFORD said that the hog charged at his wife and cat. He told the deputy that after his wife went back inside, he came out with a .22 rifle and shot the hog.

According to the report, the hog was not facing SANFORD when he fired and was approximately 72 feet away. SANFORD was at the front corner of his house at the time of the shooting.

Deputy Dameran observed two gunshot wounds to the hog’s side and neck and then shot the dying animal at Williams’ request.

As per the report, it was determined that the hog was not a threat to the SANFORDS and that SANFORD had illegally shot the poor animal.

SANFORD was placed under arrest, charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, and transported to the Cocke County Jail. Bond was set at $35,000.

Court records show that SANFORD is scheduled to appear at Cocke County General Sessions Court before Judge Mark B. Strange on January 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Authorities did not disclose the hog’s name, so I took the liberty of naming him/her Snuggles for the tribute image. Should his/her given name be made public, I will rectify it accordingly.

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In the case of charges being dropped, dismissed, or the case being purged, this article will be rectified accordingly, if official documentation is provided to Voice For Us.

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