In 1870 the California Legislature passed a law that prohibited hogs from running at large in the village of Susanville. This was serious business, since the problem was so bad, the residents had to petition Sacramento for assistance! Take for example that on May 22, 1864, Isaac Roop, the owner of the town’s water system sued Hiram Teft for allowing his hogs to roam freely. It should be noted the town’s water supply was from Piute Creek, and was distributed through open ditches. In Roop’s court complaint he cited, “ Teft’s hogs has entered and wallowed in my water ditch and has urinated and deposited excrements therein whereby the water running in said ditch has been muddied and rendered filthy and make unfit for use.” Roop sought $50 in damages and loss of water sales. As no judgment was entered into the court, Teft and Roop must have reached an agreement.