Ham no longer on lam: runaway hog caught, returned to owner

HARRISTON – Many residents here were shocked recently to see a pig roaming the streets after it escaped a Durham-area farmer at Harriston Meat Packers on Aug. 14.

After it was spotted wandering backyards and the area along the Maitland River behind the packing plant, Minto director of building and planning services Terry Kuipers said the town’s bylaw enforcement officer began working  with the owner and the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) to recapture it.

Kuipers confirmed the roaming pig was finally caught in the MNR live trap at approximately 6:05pm on Aug. 25.

The farmer attended the site at about 9pm the same night and has since transported it back to his farm.

“The Town of Minto would like to thank the MNR officers and the owner for their continuous efforts in the safe capture of this pig,” Kuipers stated in an Aug. 28 email to the Community News.