Plea for new home for Percy the stray pig after he was picked up by police in Leicester
Surprised police officers stumbled upon a lost pig wandering through the city streets while out on patrol.
Percy was trotting down a road in Leicester, on New Year's Day.
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Staff at the Woodside RSPCA centre, in Braunstone, who are now caring for the eight-month-old micro-type pig, think he was dumped by his owner when he got too big.
Centre assistant manager Jade Burton said: "It is a very strange thing – we are used to stray cats and dogs, but pigs are a different thing altogether.
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"I've been here 12 years and I think this is the third pig I have heard of being found here.
"When he came in he was underweight and had poorly skin that was red and itchy."
Staff think he was probably kept as a pet in someone's house or garden and is not a farm animal, as they have to be registered and tagged.
"He was very friendly and actually much preferred human food to the food pigs should eat, so I think he was probably someone's pet," said Jade.
"With strays, it is difficult to say, but maybe he was too big for someone who was keeping him as a pet and they just left him out – bless him."
Percy, who is being weaned off his favourite food of bread – which is not good for pigs – has recovered from his skin condition.
He was only slightly underweight when he arrived at the centre, so staff think he had not spent long without a home.
He is now back to full health, and in need of new loving owners, who have the time and knowledge to keep him happy and healthy.
Ideally, he would be suited to owners who have experience of looking after pigs and have plenty of room for him outdoors.
"Ideally, we're looking for farm-type people who have experience, maybe a city farm set up," added Jade.
She warned people about the responsibility of having a pig as a pet. There is no guarantee even a micro-pig will stay small.
"They really are a specialist animal, who need specialised care, so anyone who is thinking about getting one as a pet should get some proper advice first from professionals," she said.
If you can offer Percy a home, call 0116 233 6677.
If you know anything about how he ended up in the street, call 0300 1234 999.
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