Man caught pink-handed walking his pig in city centre

A MAN has been charged after he was caught with an untethered pig in a city centre, in what is believed to be the first case of its kind.

Thomas Murphy-hankin, 26, was arrested after he was found shouting and screaming in the street in Norwich.

He was found to have a pig with him, which is illegal as it was running loose, as well as a dog.

Mr Murphy-hankin was charged with an offence under section 155 of the Highways Act for having an animal loose on a public highway, police said. He was also charged with a public order offence and allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place.

Norfolk Police said officers were called at 10.10am on Wednesday to “reports of a man shouting and using aggressive language towards members of the public” on Prince of Wales Road.

“On arrival, one of the officers was bitten by a dog which was with the man,” a force spokesman said. “A pig was also running around.”

Mr Murphy-hankin was due to appear at Norwich magistrates’ court yesterday.

Sgt Mark Shepherd, community sergeant for the Norwich East Safer Neighbourhood Team, tweeted: “A male has been remanded in custody after committing a public order offence, having his dogs dangerously out of control and having his pig untethered.”