Pigs’ bacon will be saved

ESCAPED pigs reported to be digging up the earth at a graveyard near a primary school will not be shot following their capture, council chiefs have said.

Animals on the loose caused trouble over the last week of November when they roamed the streets close to St Gerard’s Catholic Primary School in Thrybergh.

The freedom-loving livestock made national headlines before they were caught by the authorities.

Some residents have expressed their concerns about the animals’ welfare on social media, but Rotherham Council told the Advertiser that contrary to rumours, the pigs were not in the firing line.

RMBC’s assistant director for community safety and street scene, Sam Barstow, said: “The council is not aware of any plans to shoot the pigs that have recently been at large in Thrybergh.

“The pigs have been returned to their owners and are being kept in a secure area.

“A number of the pigs have now been rehomed and removed from the site.

“Options are currently being considered to rehome the remaining pigs.”