Indiana exotic cat search ends with pigs identified

A report of large exotic cats roaming central Indiana prompted a four-hour search by multiple law enforcement agencies before being identified as pigs, authorities said Saturday. The Madison County Sheriff's Department stated that on Thursday, August 27, deputies responded to a call about two large felines in the 10000 block of South County Road 50 West. A resident reported seeing what appeared to be a 300-pound lioness wearing a blue harness and a smaller cub estimated at 100 to 150 pounds. The initial report triggered a significant response. Deputies from the Madison County and Hancock County Sheriff's Departments, along with Indiana State Police troopers, conducted an extensive search of the area. Authorities utilized ground units, physical evidence, and thermal-imaging drone technology during the operation. A drone operator captured thermal images of significant size, which initially suggested the presence of large animals. Despite the four-hour effort, law enforcement did not locate any large felines at the time. The search concluded without a confirmed sighting of lions, and officials noted that no big cats were reported missing from any area zoos or sanctuaries.