Piglet pardoned: Pet porker preserved after parade peril 

Louisiana’s Long family gained an honorary new member Wednesday: Earl Piglet Long. 

Earl Piglet Long, formerly known by the pseudonym “Piglet,” was pardoned Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol. The critter was rescued by a good Samaritan who noticed it being tossed like a football at a Mardi Gras parade, as first reported by The Advocate | The Times Picayune. 

Long will live out the rest of his days on a West Baton Rouge farm owned by Rep. Lauren Ventrella, R-Greenwell Springs. Ventrella’s farm is home to a host of other animals, including sheep, goats, miniature donkeys, horses, a 100-year-old tortoise named Eugene, a cow named Norman and another pig named Winston.

“I ran to be a voice for everybody, even the least of us,” Ventrella said. “As a Republican up here, sometimes we like to cut the pork. But I will tell you this is the pork we won’t be cutting.” 

Nungesser read from a formal proclamation drawn up in the piglet’s honor, noting that his duties occasionally involve pardoning the beloved wildlife of Louisiana, most recently including a crawfish. 

“[Piglet will] live out his life without threat of being thrown like a football or being part of jambalaya or boudin in someone’s kitchen,” Nungesser said. 

Earl P. Long is named after legendary Gov. Earl K. Long, brother of Gov. Huey P. Long. Both left behind a legacy of populism — and strong personalities, often giving outlandish speeches and statements to the press. In that spirit, the piglet squealed for much of his time in the spotlight. 

Earl P. Long declined to take questions from the media, though he affectionately nuzzled reporters’ hands with his snout.