Pigs that escaped onto a busy dual carriageway, bringing an A-road to a standstill, have been saved from slaughter thanks to online donations. The animals caused the A127 at Dunton, near Basildon, to be closed last week. Of the 14 pigs that escaped, five were shot by police at the scene due to safety concerns.
One pig, named Abigail, found refuge in a local garden and was taken to Tower Hill Stables in Asheldham. Martin Morgan, who established the stables in 1993, shared a video on Facebook stating that Abigail is now safe but was very scared from her experience on the run.
Abigail's name was inspired by the road she was found near, with 'A', 'B', and 'G' being the first, second, and seventh letters of the alphabet, respectively. Morgan believes Abigail may be the mother of the other pigs, as several young pigs immediately sought comfort from her upon arrival.
Eight other pigs were scheduled to be slaughtered on Tuesday but were saved by an online fundraiser that collected £6,000 for their care. Morgan initially expected to take in only one pig after a resident reported finding one in her garden. However, he agreed to take in eight more upon learning they would be killed if a home could not be found.
Morgan noted that support for the farm has decreased since the COVID-19 pandemic, making the decision to take in more animals difficult, especially given the farm's existing financial struggles. He stated that agreeing to take the pigs to prevent them from being shot was a significant stress.
The eight rescued pigs are settling in well, described as friendly and generally happy, though some remain skittish and may take a couple of weeks to calm down. Morgan indicated that the pigs' previous owner had bred them indiscriminately, leading to the separation of the male pigs to prevent further breeding.
Morgan, who cares for approximately 400 animals, reported that the males arrived underweight, while the females were in good condition. He described some as thin and tiny, while others were a bit feisty.
He added that while they cannot save every animal, they can make a difference for those they are able to rescue. The pigs, he noted, will likely adapt quickly to their new surroundings and will not be aware of how fortunate they are.
The farm incurs monthly food costs of around £25,000. Morgan emphasized the critical need for ongoing monthly support to cover these expenses, stating that without it, the farm might have to close. He expressed gratitude for the donations received.