Farm's joy at sow pregnancy

Staff and volunteers at the farm on Richards Road in Heeley are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a new litter of piglets to lift the mood among visitors horrified by the senseless slaughter.

Police are still investigating after sick killers broke into the farm and clambered into a pig-sty where Nellie the Large Black pig had given birth only hours earlier.

In a stomach-churning attack three of the newborn piglets were torn from their mother's side, chopped into pieces, and their body parts strewn around the farmyard. The remaining 10 piglets are missing, believed dead.

Education officer Jo Laycock told The Star today: "One of the other pigs is expecting although we can't say for sure when the piglets are due.

"But hopefully we will have a bit of good news in the not too distant future.

"What happened has been very hard for the staff and, of course, for Nellie, the piglets' mum. We know she would have been there trying to defend her babies.

"Although, thankfully, she was not physically injured she is feeling very bereft now. Hopefully her feelings won't last too long."

Workers at the farm are also planning a family fun day tomorrow from 10am to 3pm.

Entry is free but there will be a small charge for some activities with all money raised being ploughed back into farm funds.

"We are looking forward to it - it looks like people will brave any weather to support us which is lovely," said Jo.

"There will be face painting and a treasure hunt and a few other activities as well as the animals, so it should be a good day out."