Pigs on the run cause chaos after escape from abattoir

A group of runaway pigs caused chaos after escaping from an abattoir and going on the run through Glossop town centre. The six hogs made a break for freedom through a gap in the fence of their holding pen on Monday afternoon. Traffic was brought to a standstill as they raced along High Street West before scattering in different directions.

John Mettrick, who owns the butchers on High Street West, was left alone to man the shop as staff rushed out to snare the runaway swine. He said: “We had every available member of staff that we could trying to round them up. We took our own trailer down and eventually we managed to get them all but they were scattered all over the place.



“One of them decided to go to the loo in Norfolk Square and as one of the lads went to apprehend it, he stood in it and ended up on his back. It was eventually captured in the storeroom of Esso Service Station and the other five were in various yards around Glossop.

“We got them all in the end but the lads were absolutely exhausted! It certainly caused much amusement in the town centre.” He added: “Members of the public were brilliant. We had loads of people ringing up. The office upstairs was like pig HQ! The pigs were no worse for their experience but obviously it’s something we don’t like to happen and we will be reviewing our procedures.”