Tamworth Two facts for kids
The Tamworth Two were two famous pigs named Butch and Sundance. They became well-known in January 1998 when they escaped from a lorry. This happened at a place where animals are processed, called an abattoir, in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England. The pigs, later named after the famous outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, were free for over a week. Their escape caused a huge stir in the news and caught the attention of many people in Britain and other countries.
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The Great Pig Escape
Butch, a female pig (sow), and Sundance, a male pig (boar), were both Tamworth pigs. They were five months old when their owner took them to the abattoir on January 8, 1998. Right after they were let off the truck, the two pigs squeezed through a fence. Then, they swam across the River Avon and ran into nearby gardens.
Where Did the Pigs Go?
For most of their week of freedom, Butch and Sundance hid in a thick bush area near Tetbury Hill. As news of their escape spread, people and the media became very interested. The newspapers quickly nicknamed them "Butch and Sundance" after the American outlaws.
How the Media Reacted
News channels from around the world, including the American NBC network and Japanese media, sent reporters to cover the story. On January 16, 1998, the BBC reported that nearly 100 journalists were following the pigs. An NBC reporter said, "These pigs have become celebrities." She added that the British reaction to the story was very interesting, especially since America made the movie Babe.
Saving Butch and Sundance
The pigs were originally going to be sold for about £40-50 each. Their owner, Arnoldo Dijulio, first said he still planned to send them to the abattoir if they were caught. However, after this, many people and news groups offered him a lot of money to save the pigs. In the end, Daily Mail newspaper bought the pigs. They wanted the exclusive rights to tell their story.
The Capture of the Pigs
Butch was caught on the evening of January 15. She and Sundance were seen looking for food in a local couple's garden. Sundance managed to escape back into the thick bushes. But the next day, two springer spaniels found him. He was then given a special dart to make him sleepy.
RSPCA Inspector Mike Harley said Sundance had very thick skin. Two darts even bounced off him! Sundance was taken to a vet for a check-up. The vet, Fran Baird, said Sundance was a bit shaky but would be fine. He also made sure Sundance couldn't escape again, using strong padlocks and chains. Later, it was found that Sundance was a mix of breeds, and one of his parents might have been a wild boar. This could explain why he was so good at escaping!
A Famous Story
The story of the Tamworth Two even got mentioned in Parliament. A politician compared the pigs' escape to the Conservative Party's situation. In June 2004, people started a campaign to build a statue in Malmesbury to remember the Tamworth Two. They also wanted a sculpture trail along the River Avon.
The two pigs lived happily at the Rare Breeds Centre. This is an animal sanctuary near Ashford in Kent. The Daily Mail newspaper paid for their care. In 2009, readers of Press Gazette voted the Daily Mail's coverage of the Tamworth Two as one of the best British news stories ever. In 2004, The Guardian newspaper reported that the story was "the most important story of the week – by far." The pigs' adventure was even talked about on the radio and in other newspapers.
The Tamworth Two Movie
In 2003, the BBC made a 60-minute TV movie called The Legend of the Tamworth Two. In the movie, Butch was a male pig and Sundance was a female, which was different from real life. The movie's producer, Sally Woodward, said the film showed how the pigs became famous. She explained that Britain loved the "under-pig" and made them the most famous escapees in the world for a short time. She also noted how people can be strange about animals. We might enjoy eating pork, but we get upset when a pig that has "stolen our heart" is caught.
