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South Leeds: Micro pig proves a hit at The Hunslet Club
PIG STAR: Taylor-Mae Francis, nine, with Peppa the micro pig at The Hunslet Club.
Standing at just a few inches tall, a youth club’s newest member might also be its smallest.
But Peppa the micro pig is already creating a big stir at The Hunslet Club.
The tiny 11-week-old piglet, named after the animated children’s television character, was bought as a Christmas present by club caretaker Rick Francis for his daughter Taylor-Mae.
He shelled out £250 for the unusual pet from a farm in Harrogate. Other breeds can cost up to £1,000.
“Taylor-Mae wanted one for ages. I saw them for sale and it was a spur of the moment thing,” he said.
“There’s loads of interest from the other kids, everyone wants to see her. I’m getting asked more about the pig than anything else at the moment.”
According to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), micro pigs are not a recognised breed, but have been developed through selective breeding to create a pig that is smaller than those produced for commercial reasons.
Nine-year-old Taylor-Mae, whose family live on-site at the Hillidge Road club, is currently looking after Peppa in a heated shed.
Mr Francis said: “They’re not allowed out of the heat until about 12 to 14 weeks.
“If they get damp on their backs it can be really damaging.”
The family are also getting a helping hand in looking after Peppa from their other pet, seven-year-old patterdale dog Tess.
Mr Francis said: “She’s started mothering it. I think the pig thinks she’s a dog.”
The Hunslet Club has kept chickens in the past and uses an allotment to teach youngsters about the origins of food. Last year it ran a wild cooking class.
Mr Francis, who also runs fishing trips with the youth club, said Peppa may also be used to teach children about life in the outdoors.
“We want to get them outside. There are too many kids sitting inside just playing on their PlayStations all day,” he said.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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