Vermont inmate secretly adds pig image to police cruiser decals

Montpelier - An inmate at a Vermont prison carried out the ultimate prank by secretly altering the decal that adorns police cruisers, modifing the outline of a large spot on a cow's shoulder into the shape of a pig.

The Associated Press reports the inmate works at the St. Albans prison making stationary and license plates, as well as decals for the state's fleet of police cruisers. The decals were recently made by the prison inmates and distributed throughout the state to be affixed to the state police cars. Vermont Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn told the Burlington Free Press that records show at least three dozen of the altered decals have already been placed on state owned vehicles. Flynn said initially he chuckled when he saw the decal with the image of the pig. "This is not as offensive as it would have been years ago. We can see the humor," Flynn said. "He said the artist has talents that could be used elsewhere. If that person had used some of that creativeness he or she would not have ended up inside." Corrections Commissioner Andy Pallito, who is investigating the incident to determine who made the modifications to the state seal, said new decals would be ready by Monday at a cost of $800. The image, which can be seen here, was first spotted by a state trooper who brought it to the attention of his supervisors.