ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A painted pig sculpture that mysteriously appeared outside the Altamont Apartments in downtown Asheville early Tuesday is now in the custody of the Asheville Police Department as officers work to return it to its owner.
The sculpture was discovered around 2:30 a.m. outside the apartment complex on North Market Street, according to a social media post that quickly gained attention online. The person who shared the post said residents were keeping the pig safe while trying to determine who it belonged to and had notified the Asheville Police Department.
Police spokesperson Rick Rice said there was no official incident report documenting the discovery, though officers were made aware of the sculpture after the property’s owner or manager contacted police.
“An officer was made aware of the pig’s new location on N. Market Street by an owner/manager of the property,” Rice said in an email to 828newsNOW.
Rice said another officer identified the sculpture as belonging to PLANT, a business at 165 Merrimon Ave. He later confirmed the pig had been taken into police custody.
“The pig is currently located in our Evidence & Property department while we attempt to return it to its rightful owner, which we understand to be PLANT,” Rice said.
Rice said he reached out to the officers involved for additional details but had not yet received a response.
It remains unclear how the sculpture ended up at the apartment complex or whether anyone will face charges in connection with the incident.
The colorful fiberglass pig, painted with a pastoral landscape featuring flowers and rolling hills, drew plenty of attention on social media as residents tried to solve the mystery of its overnight appearance.