TWO much-loved piggies were back in their pen at a Suffolk farm shop today - just days after being stolen by rustlers.
Richard Cornwell
TWO much-loved piggies were back in their pen at a Suffolk farm shop today - just days after being stolen by rustlers.
Rare kune kune pigs Bramley and Pippin were found after police received a tip-off from someone who saw the animals.
Officers went to a wood in Needham Market and found the pair in a pen.
Today owners Nigel and Jane Smith were overjoyed at having the pair back at Goslings Farm Shop in Trimley St Martin.
Mrs Smith said: “It's fantastic.
“We are so pleased because so many people were upset at what had happened.
“It's great having them back.”
Mr Smith said: “It's brilliant - I wasn't sure if we would ever see them again.
“The police said they had received a call from someone who saw a person moving two pigs and thought it was unusual.
“They were then found in a pen quite well hidden.”
Pig rustlers stole the pair from the farm shop in High Road on November 5 night.
The fence at the front of the shop had been broken and it appeared the pigs had then been herded through the hedge into a truck.
Boards used to steer the pigs were found discarded in the hedge.
Suffolk Police are still investigating the incident and no arrests have been made.
A £750 reward was offered for their safe return which will be considered once the police investigation is complete.
The kune kune pigs are a popular attraction at the farm shop - people of all ages visit to see the pigs and feed them apples.
The endangered breed comes from New Zealand - their name means fat and round in Maori - and was brought to Britain in 1992 to try to secure its future as it was felt a good idea to have a number in another country in case of disease in their homeland.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here