It came from a comic strip.

You can read the comic strip "Over the Hedge" online for free on various platforms like GoComics, Comics Kingdom, and the official "Over the Hedge" website. These websites typically offer daily strips and archives for readers to enjoy.

Yes they will eat the lower new leaves and ones higher up too if they can get at them. They will also have a chew at the bark and if left to their own devices will ruin a newly planted hedge. Hares will decimate a newly planted hedge. They chop off the stems and strip the bark. If either beasts are attracted to a newly planted hedge fence it with chicken wire--both sides.

hedge pig= hedge hog

Hegh