The pig which thinks it's a dog

The lonely piglet was handed in to St Francis Animal Welfare shelter in Fair Oak by a family who could no longer care for her.

But within days of settling in at her new home, she amazed staff by starting to behave more like a pooch – in an echo of the hit film Babe. As in the classic 1995 movie in which a young pig takes on the role of a sheepdog, Coco shows similar characteristics to canines and seems to enjoy their company.

The scenario arose after a giant German Shepherd at the centre, called Jay, took the 19-week-old “Kune Kune”

pig under his paw.

Coco is so taken by her new “nanny”

that she nuzzles up to him like a puppy and follows other dogs around.

Centre manager Sueltan Day said: “It is quite funny to see them together.

“I genuinely think she believes she’s a dog, as she copies what they do. Jay likes to run around and protect her, especially when they’re all running around in the field.

“Jay is as good as gold and has always been like a nanny at the centre.

“German Shephards have a bad reputation but you could put Jay in with anything and he will be gentle with it.”

Sueltan said it was common for pigs to enjoy the company of other animals – but staff have been taken aback by the new little and large friendship unfolding in their animal yard.

Smaller so-called “micro-pig” versions of the Kune Kune have become popular pets with celebrities, including models Jordan and Paris Hilton.

But Sueltan is urging would-be owners to think twice before deciding to take on piglets as pets.

“People need to accept the fact that they are still pigs and still need space,”

he said.

“People are buying them because they are small and cute. They think they will be able to keep them in their back garden, but before long they have churned it all up.”

Staff are holding an open day at the centre, on Mortimer’s Lane, on October 31 from 1pm to 4pm.