Wiggles.
Wiggles the pig is recovering from a broken leg after falling off of a transport truck at Hwy. 401 and Mavis Rd.
Photo supplied by Toronto Humane Society
This little piglet went wee, wee, wee ... all the way to his temporary home at the Humane Society.
A 5.5 kilogram piglet who fell off a transport truck at Hwy. 401 and Mavis Rd. in Mississauga yesterday was picked up by a concerned passing motorist and appears to be making a full recovery at the offices of the Toronto Humane Society.
Workers there have named their patient "Wiggles" in tribute to her ability to escape from potential danger: she was almost certainly headed to a factory farm for slaughter when she hit the pavement.
Brian Bowes was driving in the westbound lanes of 401 when he saw the piglet on the shoulder of the road. As soon as he got out of the truck, he realized she was injured.
The piglet acted very friendly, however, nuzzling him with her toes and rubbing up against his leg like a kitten.
"It was kind of weird," Bowes told The Toronto Sun. "She was just shivering. I think she was just scared."
The pig, estimated to be six months old, had X-rays after being taken to the shelter in Toronto, where Bowes lives. Wiggles' leg was broken at the knee. She will be having surgery after officials are certain her condition is stable.
The Society used the opportunity to post a message on its website opposing factory farming.
"This innocent animal, protected by no one, was a victim of our factory farming society," the statement says. "Animals like Wiggles are ignored by federal and provincial laws and have no protection from inhumane conditions in which the live."
Wiggles' unfortunate fall probably means a new lease on life for her — on a demonstration farm.
Ian McConachie of Toronto Humane said that once she recovers, Wiggles may be headed for a role in public education. "We're going to find a place for her to live that can accommodate a farm animal ... maybe a petting zoo. She's not going to go to market."
jstewart@mississauga.net