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| Owners: Kerrie Barber | Piggy: Blackie |
| Date they won: Jan 8 2005 | |
| Here's their story: Pigs bacon could be saved 18:27 AEDT Sat Jan 8 2005 Blackie, the Mackay feral pig facing death row, may have had his bacon saved in an eleventh hour reprieve. This Sunday is D-day for the 350kg porker - viewed as a feral pest in the eyes of the law but a cherished family pet by the Barber family - following orders by Mackay City Council to have him destroyed. Kerrie Barber and 10-year-old daughter Britney, of Eton in central Queensland, were given until January 9 to put the pig down or face a $30,000 fine. But Mackay deputy mayor Don Rolls said on Friday it was possible the regularly-wormed and domesticated pig could be given a reprieve after Queensland Natural Resources Minister Stephen Robertson refused to become involved in the matter. "Personally speaking, I dont believe its our position to pursue this matter any further without the minister being involved," Mr Rolls said. "Id certainly be looking at trying to extend any period for the pig to remain as is." An elated Ms Barber, who put the pig into exile at a friends place in early December, said: "Im absolutely ecstatic if thats the way its going to be. "I am the happiest girl in the world. Blackie can come home and my life can go back to normal." Ms Barber said her life had been turned upside down and her daughter had been "absolutely traumatised" at having her beloved pet taken from her. A spokesman for Mr Robertson said there was no grounds for the minister to intervene. "The laws are quite specific about the keeping of declared pest animals, of which feral pigs are one," he said. Mr Rolls said the council had been enforcing state legislation that prohibits the keeping of feral animals when it asked Ms Barber to have the pig destroyed. But he said if Mr Robertson was not going to intervene, then the council should be able decide Blackies fate. "If the Minister doesnt like that, he can undertake other action himself," Mr Rolls said. The State Department of Natural Resources classifies feral pigs as class 2 pests. A spokeswoman said permits to keep a feral pig would only be given if it was in a circus, used during magic acts, for scientific research, in zoos, films or television commercials, or if it was being used for public education. Blackie was rescued by Ms Barber five years ago after shooters left the piglet, only days old, orphaned. The porker enlisted an army of supporters from across Australia after he appeared on A Current Affair and the John Laws radio show. İAAP 2005 |
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