"The owner of one of the world's oldest pigs was prosecuted by the RSPCA because he could not bring himself to have his pet put down when it fell ill.
The 20 year old animal, called Mr Pig, was Bob Skinner's only companion and lived on a nine acre island in a pond connected by a bridge to the 63 year old;s garden. It even had it's own specially built ark.
When Mr Pig, believed to be the world's oldest kunekune pig, developed facial cancer My Skinner treated the injury himself. A court heard he didn't take Mr Pig to the vet because he could not face having his pet put down.
Officicials seized the pig and had it destroyed without informing Mr Skinner, a retired pet shop owner.
After a Bournemouth magistrates hearing Mr Skinner said he had spent 200 pounds on a headstone for his pet.
Mr Skinner, a divorcee, lives in an old mill cottage in the village of Corfe Mullen, Dorset. His 13 bed grade 2 listed property features in the Domesday Book.
Edward Foster, defending Mr Skinner, said his client had been struggling to come to terms with losing his only companion.
Mr Skinner was given 24 months conditional discharge and ordered to pay the RSPCA's prosecution costs of 1000 pounds and a 15 pound victim surcharge."
- latest UK Telegraph.