A typical morning in Jefferson County, Arkansas, turned into full-blown chaos when a massive wild boar—estimated at 180 kilograms (400 pounds), crashed headfirst through the glass doors of a rural gas station. It was just after 7 a.m., and two employees had barely finished setting up the coffee station when the uninvited guest made its explosive entrance.
Security footage showed the animal barreling inside at full speed, sending shards of glass and shocked customers flying. “At first, I thought a car had crashed through,” said clerk Denise Holloway. “Then I saw tusks.”
Not Just a Drive-By—This Boar Meant Business
Once inside, the animal slipped on the tile floor, took out a potato chip display, and then charged straight into the candy aisle. Gatorade bottles, snack cakes, and beef jerky went flying as the boar thrashed and squealed. One customer dove behind the ATM. Another climbed into a freezer.
“It was like trying to shop during a rodeo,” said one witness. “That hog had no business being that fast indoors.”
Employees took cover in the stockroom and called 911, unsure of how to handle a wild animal bigger than most of the customers.
Feral Hogs: Southern Menace With Tusks
Wild boars—also called feral hogs or razorbacks—are a growing issue across much of the southern U.S. Originally introduced centuries ago for sport and food, they’ve multiplied into the millions. In Arkansas alone, they’re blamed for millions of dollars in agricultural damage every year.
“These animals are incredibly tough, smart, and aggressive,” said a spokesperson for Arkansas Game and Fish. “And once they get into an urban area, you’ve got a real problem.”
Feral hogs are known to travel in groups (called sounders), destroy farmland, root up suburban lawns, and even attack pets. They’ve been spotted in schoolyards, suburban neighborhoods, and now, apparently, gas stations.
Five Minutes of Mayhem—and a Bacon-Scented Trail
After several minutes of tearing through the store, the boar found the rear exit, kicking open the employee entrance and disappearing into a wooded area behind the building. Animal control arrived too late to catch the intruder, but they followed hoofprints and broken bush limbs back into the brush.
“The back door’s busted, and aisle three smells like a petting zoo,” Holloway said. “We’ll be cleaning up fur and Slim Jims for a week.”
Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported. The store filed an insurance claim, but the company reportedly asked for photographic proof. “We sent the footage,” Holloway added. “They called back just to laugh.”
How to Stay Safe During a Boar Encounter
While it’s rare to meet a wild hog in a convenience store, it’s not rare to see them near homes, parks, or roads in hog-heavy states like Texas, Florida, Georgia, and Arkansas. Here’s what to do if you come face-to-face with one:
- Don’t run – Wild hogs are fast (up to 45 km/h or 28 mph) and will give chase.
- Don’t corner them – They panic easily and may charge.
- Put a barrier between you and the animal – Even a car door or fence can help.
- Call wildlife control immediately.
And whatever you do, don’t try to pet it.
Back to Business—With Reinforcements
The gas station has since reopened with a brand-new front door, a motion sensor alarm, and a running joke: “Wild Boar Discount—50% off if you break in through the window.”
Employees say they’re not taking chances. “We’ve got pepper spray, a broom, and a shovel behind the counter,” said Holloway. “And if that thing comes back, it’s getting charged double.”
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