the sow Cocotte entrusted to an animal park after having lived for three years in an unsanitary barn

The domestic sow raised by a retired couple and living in unworthy conditions was seized by the French Biodiversity Office.

For the end of her life, Cocotte should “live happy days.” The domestic sow, which had been collected and raised by a retired couple from Musigny, in Côte-d'Or, was seized this Wednesday, November 6 by agents of the French Biodiversity Office (OFB), reports France 3 Burgundy. Three years ago, when she was just a little pig, Cocotte was entrusted to the couple by a hunter, who had promised that he would return, but who never did.

Since then, the domestic sow, who now weighs 140kg, lived in a large dilapidated room at her masters' home, where wooden furniture, sheet metal and other bulky objects were stored. An environment far from the forests where wild boars live and feed on acorns, chestnuts or mushrooms.

Unauthorized possession of an animal

According to the law, it is also completely prohibited to own a wild animal, such as Cocotte's species. The couple faced three years in prison and a fine of 150,000 euros for unauthorized possession of an animal, mistreatment and keeping an animal in an unsanitary environment. It is also impossible to simply release the animal into the wild.

“The sow is unfortunately domesticated. We can therefore no longer release it,” regretted in October Cendrine Perrot, representative of the association See Inform Denounce Act for animals (Vida).

According to France 3 Bourgogne, an anonymous report was made last September, leading to a gendarmerie inspection, then to a seizure request issued by Olivier Caracotch, the public prosecutor of Dijon. The French Biodiversity Office (OFB), in charge of the operation, was able to recover the sow this Wednesday, put her to sleep and move her to an animal park.

According to the prosecutor, Cocotte should “live happy days”, far from her cluttered barn in Musigny.