by Katie Alston

kalston@thekmgroup.co.uk

A warning has been issued against the celebrity pint sized pet craze of micro pigs.

The Beckhams have one as does Paris Hilton and Charlotte Church but as Farming World in Boughton near Faversham have found out, not all stay as the size of the tiny porkers promised.

The attraction in Nash Court, which is due to re-open in April, have trotted to the rescue of Princess who became too much for her owner to handle and house.

Emma Bennett from Borough Green, near Maidstone bought her under the guise that Princess wouldn’t put on too many pounds and could live happily in the family home and garden. She wasn’t expected to grow any bigger than a small dog and Emma thought she would remain like the pocket sized pets she had seen numerous celebrities cuddling up to.

However when Princess reached the tender age of 11-months-old she had inflated from the anticipated 40 to 65lbs and 12 to 16 inches tall, to a mammoth 100kg and now stacks up at more than a meter long.

Georgina Watson, who has recently taken over Farming World, said: “Princess is a kind and friendly pig who loved living with the Bennett family but she has grown rather larger than her owners expected, and is certainly not a 'micro pig’.

“Princess was just too much for them to cope with so they called us in to help.

“She has settled in well and is sure to be a huge hit with our visitors this year, as she is very friendly and loves human company, so the rehoming has been successful. The Bennett’s visit her as often as they can.

“But this story is a warning to anyone thinking of getting a pig as a pet, they can get very large.

“This pig was sold as a 'micro pig’ and should therefore not have grown any larger than a small dog.”

Animal welfare groups have also issued stark warnings about an increasing number of rogue micro pig breeders who sell the pets only for the new owners to get a shock when they grow into full size pigs.

The RSPCA in particular have questioned the suitability of micro pigs as pets, as they have specific needs such as areas where they can root, a stimulating environment and plenty of similar sized pig friends to hang out with.

Under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006, pet owners are legally required to meet the needs of their animals. Due to their complex needs, the RSPCA is concerned about how well micro and mini pigs can be cared for by non-specialist keepers, and whether or not they can meet strict movement, registration, identification and feeding rules when the novelty of owning the critters has worn off.