Smythesdale farmer reunited with most of his stolen pigs

John Murphy says media attention, as well as social media, was the catalyst for the return of most of his pets.

Four of the pigs were found at a farm more than 30 minutes away from his property while the mother of the pigs was found wondering in nearby bushland after escaping the pen when most of her brood were stolen.

Without giving too much away, Mr Murphy said help from social media allowed him to piece together where the pigs might have been taken.

However, a large boar and a smaller pig still remain missing.

"Their tails were going like helicopters when they came home," he said.

"Where the pigs were there were four recovered and the two largest pigs were laying down quite miserable and depressed.

"When I brought them back and put them back in, I was still missing their mum Maxine but they were a bit happier.

"On Tuesday morning the horses were looking up in the bush like something wasn't right, so I went up and checked it out, and here was the mother pig.

"It took me a long time to get her back, but once I put the mother back in with the others, you could see they were so happy. It's remarkable to see the change in them, when they are your pets, you can tell when something is not right."

Mr Murphy said social media enabled him to dribble a lot of information which he was able to forward onto police who helped in the recovery.

"It's a mystery what's happened to the other two, if the smaller one was around, it would probably be around here by now. The older one has been here a long time, but I'd think even if it did go bush, it would likely turn up at some stage." he said.

"But there are people around who might see a wild pig and shoot. You just don't know."

Ballarat Inspector Greg Payne said while there had been no arrests made as yet, a person was assisting them with their inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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