American Idol contestant Will Moseley criticized for video of dogs attacking and killing wild hogs
American Idol contestant Will Moseley has some fans angry after they discovered an old photo from a feral hog hunt. A pig hunt with guns would be one thing, but the photo and video Will uploaded depict a pack of hunting dogs surrounding and biting a helpless pig to death.
The Instagram post is captioned “Those good ol’ January Swims.” The photo depicts Will alongside his father Todd Moseley (who posts a bunch of these feral hog hunts on his pages) and girlfriend Ryleigh Colter posing with a dead hog after the dogs mauled it to death. But click the next arrow. That is, if you don’t mind watching a pack of dogs bite and attack the lone pig. Thankfully, there is no sound on the clip.
Angry Idol fans post in comments
Needless to say, once fans found the post, uploaded in early 2022, the comments were angry. “Do you enjoy killing helpless animals?” one asked. Another wrote, “You’re just as big as that wild boar! I wish some dogs would mistake you for one and let you have it.” And another wrote, “This is horrifying. I adore dogs AND pigs!” And another, “I hope u don’t win-this is disgusting.” Some fans aren’t fans anymore “Disgusting abuse of animals. I was a fan… for about 30 minutes until I saw this.” And another former fan wrote, “This is the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen. Saw you on @americanidol tonight but not sure I can be a fan of this”
Will has supporters too
To be sure, Will has his supporters. One wrote, “To those who find this “horrifying”: As someone who grew up surrounded by wild hogs, Will was doing the lords work. The amount of damage hogs do to commercial and residential properties is immense and highly costly. They are invasive and aggressive. Good hunting @willmoseleymusic.”
Sure? Destructive and dangerous feral hogs have to be culled. But can’t hunters just shoot them, sparing them prolonged agony? In the United Kingdom, fox hunts, which used hounds to chase the furry creatures until they were exhausted, before ripping them apart–were popular among aristocrats until public outcry put an end to the practice. Hopefully, afterward, the hogs are at least dinner for them or somebody who would appreciate it.
TMZ did some digging and discovered that hunting feral pigs in the state of Georgia, where Will is from, is legal.
A rep for the Georgia Dept. of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division told TMZ: “Hunting feral hogs — an invasive species — is allowed on private lands and, where and when designated, some public lands in Georgia. Where designated, dogs can be used in hunting feral hogs. There are no restrictions on that use except on public lands.”
Will Moseley advanced to the Top 8 Sunday night (April 29) and is a popular contestant based on his easygoing and country performances. He’s been compared to Chris Stapleton for his soulful and raspy delivery.
