Hammy the pig sent to Shropshire sanctuary after garden attack

Hammy, a four-and-a-half-year-old Gloucester Old Spot, attacked Marie Yates in her garden on Wednesday and left her with deep gashes on both legs.

His owners, fearful of what would happen to him, allowed Good Heart Animal Sanctuary to whisk him away on Friday evening.

He arrived at the charity’s new sanctuary, near Milson, near Cleobury Mortimer, at around 7.30pm, where he was placed under quarantine until he is deemed safe to join the other animals.

The sanctuary's farm manager David Bourne, 30, said: "We were called to collect Hammy in the afternoon as the owners did not want anything further happening to him.

"They were very sad to see him go but we assured them he would be somewhere safe.

"We got to him as quickly as possible once we found out what had happened.

"I was not sure what he would be like, but he left without any fuss. He was very good when travelling, and when he arrived here he seemed quite tired and quiet.

"We had some fresh straw ready for him and after I went to check on him after a while, he had built a big nest for himself and I could only see one ear sticking out.

"Hammy will be in quarantine until we know he is safe and a vet has had a chance to assess him.

"We're leaving that a couple of days. For now we don't want to do anything to agitate him.

"But given what he has been through, he seems remarkably calm."

In a statement, the director of Good Heart Animal Sanctuary Alison Hood said: "Although Hammy was cared for by his owners it is not kind to keep pigs as pets. They grow from cute tiny piglets to large strong animals who need considerable care.

"We will give Hammy all the special care and attention he needs to live out his life at our new sanctuary. We will need help to feed and care for him and welcomes any offers of help and donations."

Before the attack in Darlaston on Wednesday morning, Hammy had smashed his way out of his pen. He then charged at Marie as she tried to escape behind her car on her drive.

In a panic she called her brother Greg and told him "I'm bleeding to death" after she was left with deep gashes on both legs.

Speaking about the attack from her hospital bed, former bank manager Marie said: "I thought he was going to kill me.

"There was so much blood I thought I was going to die, It's all over the house and on the carpets.

"He bought Hammy thinking he was a micro pig but I think he maybe a wild boar, he is at least 30 stone."

The pig was owned by her neighbour Nick Jackson.