Party animals causing a stink with welfare workers

PARTY animals of a different kind are causing a stink among welfare workers.

A Vietnamese pot-bellied piglet was brought to a 21st birthday party in Castletroy and given as a present.

However, he ran from the house in fright and was missing two weeks, having been sighted in various locations in Castletroy.

Marian Fitzgibbon of Limerick Animal Welfare said: “We understand that the pig was brought to a 21st and given as a present. While some people might think this is funny, it is anything but. It is terribly cruel.

“This seems to be a new fad and something we would like to nip in the bud. We heard of another similar case in Cork where a person also brought a pig as a present. It is not a good idea.

“It was running around for two weeks without any food and little of no protection from the cold.”

After being captured, the pig was brought to the Limerick Animal Welfare Sanctuary in Kilfinane.

For the past two years the sanctuary has been home for two Vietnamese pot bellied pigs named Wayne Rasher and Coleen Bacon.

They have now been joined by the piglet.

The sanctuary which covers 24 acres caters mostly for dogs and cats.