'Ride them like a horse': Dismayed buyers surrendering 'teacup' pigs weighing up to 300kg
James Paras
, ABC News
The RSPCA says some breeds of pig can grow as large as 300kg.
Photo:
ABC / James Paras
Q: What do "teacup" pigs and unicorns have in common? A: Neither exist, even if we really want them to.
Teacup pigs are promoted as perfect for kids and suburban homes. But these little pets can become a big problem, as Tayla Anderson knows all too well.
Anderson admits she may have naively bought into the mini-pig fallacy when her mother surprised her with two piglets. She said they were told the pigs would stay miniature for their whole lives.
"We never owned pigs before but we assumed we were being told the truth … we didn't know any better," Anderson said.
"They grew to about thigh height, and I could almost ride them like a horse."
Anderson said it was lucky she lived on a small farm in Victoria at the time and was able to give her bigger-than-expected pigs a home.
"I've been to a lot of properties and I've never seen a small pig," she said.
University of Queensland pig health expert Dakota Leschke, who works with large animals on farms and sanctuaries, said he regularly heard from owners who thought they had bought a miniature pig.
"Mini pigs are an umbrella term and they are generally smaller than a commercial pig," Leschke said.
"The smallest pig I have ever seen is 100 kilograms, but I have seen mini pigs up to 250kg.
"Teacup pigs are more of a myth, not everything is truthful online."
RSPCA senior manager of animal care Georgie Casper said miniature pigs were not a recognised breed in Australia.
"A commercial pig, for example, will reach about 250-300kg, but that won't happen for four to five years," she said.
Kathy Anderson, who is not related to Tayla, has more than 120 pigs on her rural property, just outside Tenterfield in North West NSW.
The Contented Pig Inn has become a haven for pigs of all shapes and sizes. Some arrived sick or injured, others had nowhere else to go.
Anderson said some owners surrendered their pets after what they thought was a tiny pig turned into a 300kg hog.
"We have had incidences of kids who wanted pigs, they're sold a piglet and then they are surrendered because the parents freaked out," she said.
"I don't know what the thought process is. There are breeds of dogs like little terriers that stay small, but that's not pigs."
Belly was sold as a mini pig but ended up at Anderson's property after its owners realised they were drastically unprepared.
"She was so skeletal, she was in pain, so thin," she said.
"Belly was kept on an odd diet to keep her small, probably chicken feed.
"Breeders do that to keep the pigs small."
Belly now weighs in at 200kg.
Kathy says Belly was sold as a miniature pig but is now close to 200kg.
Photo:
ABC / James Paras
South Australian pig breeders Rachel and Joel Redford said they were approached regularly by buyers looking for teacup pigs.
"Teacup pigs are completely false, the term shouldn't be used," Rachel said.
"We constantly turn people away who want to have a pig for their apartment."
Despite the breed not being recognised in Australia, the Redfords do advertise miniature pigs for sale.
Rachel said 15to 20 years of breeding had allowed them to produce a pig that might only grow to weigh 70kg.
"These pigs have been chosen for their characteristics," she said. "Some of them are 30-centimetres tall. We don't feel there are many reputable local breeders."
RSPCA NSW said its inspector had not reported any major issues from pig owners recently.
But Casper said misinformation about pigs was common.
"You need to understand what their needs are," she said. "They are very sensitive, intelligent and curious animals. If you're interested in owning a pig, you need to be able to provide them with adequate nutrition, shelter, transportation [and] veterinary care."
According to the NSW DPI, keeping pigs - including free-range pigs - is classified as intensive livestock agriculture and is prohibited in some land-use zones.
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