INMATE HIDES PIG IN VERMONT STATE POLICE LOGO
(Return to Video Menu - View Full)

MIDDLESEX, VT (NBC) -- A cow's spot shaped in the form of a pig is plastered on about 30 Vermont State Troopers' cars.

The cow itself is part of the Vermont State Police emblem, a scene complete with mountains and a pasture.

While the image is offensive enough to have all the decals removed, many people -- including high-up elected officials -- are finding humor in it.

For Vermont state Senator John Campbell, the jokes were flying.

"It's just like 'Where's Waldo?' People say, 'where's the pig?" he said Thursday evening. "Some say, 'Give him more time,' or others say, 'Give him the artist of the year award. I think it shows a little bit of creativity."

A former police officer, Campbell said the term "pig" used to be very degrading in the force, but over the years, it has softened.

"It became more of a kind of funny thing. In fact, we used to have our football games where the state police used to play the local police and we used to call it the 'Pig Bowl,'" Campbell said.

Vermont State Police are working to identify the individual responsible for the "artistry."

Out of the force's 220 marked cruisers, 30 fell victim.

The emblems were printed at the Vermont Correctional Industries Print Shop.

"It was not anything offensive," said Campbell. "I haven't spoken to any other troops on the ground, but I would hope they would not take it as an insult."

Still, VSP said they've destroyed any remaining pig stickers.

"Now it becomes a collecter's item. I'm looking to get mine," said Campbell.

Wisecracks aside, the serious part to this story is who is going to pay to replace those decals.

"The joke unfortunately comes at the expense of the taxpayers," said Maj. William Sheets of the Vermont State Police in a press release Thursday.

"I don't think there's going to be a significant cost. From what I understand, there's not," said Campbell.

Officials from the Department of Corrections said they're working to correct the mistake and print new door stickers.

VSP said they will remove the "inappropriately modified" decals soon.