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Thirty Stone Pig Who Lived On Chinese Takeaways Has To Be Rescued From Flat By Firefighters

Thirty Stone Pig Who Lived On Chinese Takeaways Has To Be Rescued From Flat By Firefighters

Sweet and sour pork.

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A huge female pig had to be rescued from a first floor by firefighters using a special stretcher to handle her whopping 30 stone (190.5kg) weight.

Twiglet the piggy was purchased by Elaine Edwards' grandchildren, who were told they were buying a 'micro pig' for £60.

However, it turned out that Twiglet isn't too micro and, although she started off teeny, grew to her whopping size after tucking into Chinese takeaways, porridge and chocolate.

Twiglet, whom I would I be willing to go to war for, slept on her own mattress in Elaine's bedroom in Rotherham, as she was house-trained and used to use a litter tray. The pampered pig apparently liked the central heating and quickly grew accustomed to sleeping indoors.

Sadly, Elaine died last August and when her family tried to remove Twiglet from the house, they found she was too panicky and big to move.

RSPCA inspectors, firefighters and vets all joined forces to get the Vietnamese pot belied pig out of the flat.

RSPCA inspector Kristy Ludlam said: "This was a first for me - a couple of hundred pound pig is not a common animal to be kept in a first floor flat, for very good reasons.

It took a team, including six firefighters, to safely remove the pig.
SWNS

"We are really happy that we were able to bring everyone together to help Twiglet and her owner's family and grateful to everyone involved, and so pleased that she's doing well in her new home."

Twiglet, who is around 5ft-long, was then sedated before being placed on a bariatric stretcher and lowered down a flight of stairs by six firemen.

Elaine's granddaughter Calli Edwards, 20, said: "My nan had always wanted a pig ever since she was a little girl, so we bought one for her for £60 off Facebook.

"She was absolutely besotted with Twiglet and loved her to death. She was a member of the family.

"Twiglet had her own single bed in my nan's room with her own teddies - that was life for Twiglet. She got everything she wanted.

"No one was allowed to bad-mouthed Twiglet or make jokes about bacon sandwiches around her. She was my nan's world.

Twiglet with her little stuffed pig.
SWNS

"If you had nothing nice to say about Twiglet, you had to say nothing at all. She got too big to get down the steps and go out."

The pig has since been moved to Peppers Field Equine and Poultry Rehabilitation Centre, where she's spent the last five weeks and has started to shed some weight.

So far, Twiglet has lost around one-and-a-half stone (9.5kg) after switching her usual junk food for fruit, with grapes being a particular favourite.

Centre trustee Chloe Watson, 33, said: "When she first came she was really quiet. I think she was quite depressed after her owner died.

"She was quiet and reserved but she has now come out of her shell. She has lost around 10 kilograms.

The pig has been moved to a sanctuary and has already started shedding the pounds.
SWNS

"Our plan was to rehome her but I'm not sure now. We are toying with the idea of her going to someone perfect but it looks like she is staying put and we might have to get another pig friend.

"From what a can gather, she had a fantastic life and ruled the roost.

"She definitely lived a life of luxury in the flat, but it wasn't really the right environment for her."

Here's hoping Twiglet has a happy, healthy future to look forward to.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Weird, Animals