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<\/p>\nPeople across Aotearoa are calling for a better fate for Donald the impounded pig, who escaped a stock-truck and was recaptured after a highway police pursuit.<\/p>\n
Following news Donald had been sold off to become bacon rather than live out his days as a pet, the Animal Justice Party (AJP) began rallying animal lovers “in an urgent effort to locate and rescue the pig” bought for $320 at a Tararua District Council auction this week.<\/p>\n
Police had contacted the council after finding the pig roaming along State Highway 2 through Eket\u0101huna in the early hours of June 17.<\/p>\n
They believed he had jumped from a stock truck.<\/p>\n
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The political party, AJP, said the story had “prompted widespread public concern, with many questioning why an animal who survived escaping and captured the hearts of New Zealanders now faces being killed”.<\/p>\n
The group that purchased Donald the pig at the July 1 auction had already given council the money to pay for his incurred bills, and Donald had already made his way from the Dannevirke pound to a farm in Feilding.<\/p>\n
They confirmed before leaving the pound, that after a few weeks of healing, Donald would be dinner.<\/p>\n
AJP said if the bidder was willing to give Donald “a second chance”, the party would co-ordinate a fundraising effort to pay for his bills and “cover the costs of securing his freedom”.<\/p>\n
AJP said original reporting on the rural auction was “insensitive” and had reduced the pig’s experiences to “entertainment” rather than a tragedy.<\/p>\n
The group did not like Tararua mayor Scott Gilmore’s choice of language when he said Donald was sold for a good price, but the bidding could have been “hammed up” more. Donald was given his name by Gilmore.<\/p>\n
The mayor said council followed its legal requirements and took great care to make sure Donald was well looked after, but after the auction any decisions about his future “rest with the new owner”.<\/p>\n