Javelina surprises Mesa homeowner

Ed Nelson of Mesa had a problem when he arrived home Wednesday: a brown, hairy javelina was standing in the entrance.

“I had the key in, and I looked over and he stood there, and his lips were moving up and his teeth were showing,” said Nelson who lives in the Cortina Vista Town Houses on East Brown Road.

Nelson said he slowly backed away and then ran to his neighbor’s house. His disbelieving neighbors came to see for themselves, and then they called the animal control officers, he said.

Chuck Schnabel, also a resident, said he got in touch with the Arizona Game and Fish Department about 4:15 p.m. He said officials arrived within the hour.

A small crowd of about 18 watchers gathered and animal control officials warned everyone to stay a safe distance away.

Workers used a tranquilizer gun to sedate the wild animal.

“This is a stubborn pig, they had to dart him twice,” Schnabel said.

Game Ranger Dana McGehee said that after the first dart the animal would not go down. The second dart worked in about five minutes.

Officials said animals that are caught are often released back into the wild.

Tribune intern Caitlin Torres contributed to this report