Three abandoned little pigs rescued in Fenland

Three abandoned little pigs rescued in Fenland

A challenging six-hour operation was carried out to capture three small pigs abandoned in the cold Fenland area near March, Cambridgeshire. The pigs were reportedly left by the side of a road after being released from a van. Local veterinary staff alongside a council dog warden mobilized quickly to rescue the animals, but the process required considerable time, effort, and food before all three pigs were safely secured.

The pigs, which seemed healthy, have since been placed in the care of a veterinary nurse registered with Defra. A local member of the public initially contacted Triovet, a veterinary practice operating in the vicinity, to report the pigs’ release. In response, Triovet staff called upon Shelley Ridgeon, a stray dog collection officer working with Fenland District Council, to assist with the rescue.

Ridgeon admitted to underestimating the difficulty of the task, initially believing she and her daughter could easily use slip leads to catch the animals. “I can catch a stray dog, but a pig is a different story,” she explained. The rescuers eventually employed a combination of tactical patience and various foods—including bread, chicken drumsticks, pasta, apples, and crackers—to lure the pigs in. At one point, animal care assistant Chloe Abbott tried to blend into the field by lying down under a green blanket, hoping the pigs would approach her, though this strategy unintentionally frightened them instead.

The rescue team endured tough conditions throughout the operation, navigating muddy fields and crossing dykes in freezing temperatures. Once the pigs were under control, Adrian Dodoiu, owner of Triovet, examined the small-breed animals, who were thought to be kunekunes, and confirmed they were in good condition. After the ordeal, the pigs were settled into a nearby warm sanctuary. Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they had received a report of “three abandoned pigs in Lambs Hill Drove, March” and that the council dog warden was managing the case

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