Ransom demands for porcelain pig stolen from Rossendale cafe (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Ransom demands for porcelain pig stolen from Rossendale cafe

1:38pm Thursday 27th August 2009 in Stacksteads By Alex Willmott, Reporter

A LARGE porcelain pig is being held for ransom after it was stolen from outside a Rossendale cafe.

Snack Attack owners Amanda Perry and Fiona Pilling have been sent text messages demanding money for the shop’s ornamental animal, which usually stands outside the business in Stacksteads.

Messages have also been posted on the internet suggesting the shop’s mascot will be “taken on holiday to Ireland” and possibly “sold on ebay”.

The pig was stolen three weeks ago during trading hours.

Amanda, who took over the business two years ago, said: “We usually put the pig out at the beginning of the day and collect it in around 3pm.

“A couple of weeks ago, on a Friday, the pig had gone and people reported they saw two lads carrying it down the street.

“Since then we have had ransom messages by text saying that if we do not pay up to £250, the pig will get it.

“We know it’s a bit of fun to those who have taken it, but if it comes back we will not put it outside again.”

A film of the large bright pink animal has been published on website Youtube, which has been watched by more than 400 people, in what has been referred to as the “elaborate pignap”.

The film sees the pig snapped with Victoria Beck-ham, as well as at Blackpool Tower and the Eiffel Tower.

Regular diners at Snack Attack, in Newchurch Road, frequently ask for updates on the pig’s whereabouts.

Amanda and Fiona are confident the offenders have no plan to keep the pig, which they have named Sally.

Amanda said: “They have a sense of humour about the whole thing and they must know who we are because they have our mobile number.

“They tell us the reason they took the pig away was to save her from being chained to the shop in the cold and miserable weather.

“We have tried to call them, but have had no luck.”