A French court has ruled that a wild boar named "Rillette" can remain with her owner, after a long legal battle and public outcry over the authorities' attempts to remove or euthanise the animal.
The wild boar was found as a tiny piglet near the rubbish bins outside Elodie Cappé's horse farm in Chaource, eastern France, in April 2023. She has since grown into a large sow with a bristly brown coat.
"Rillette" – who is named after a regional dish of shredded pork – now roams freely on the farm, interacting with horses and dogs, and enjoys cuddling with Cappé and her family.
After initial attempts to release the animal back into the wild were unsuccessful, Cappé took steps to ensure the boar's wellbeing by having her sterilised and vaccinated, and providing her with an enclosure.
She also made several requests to the regional prefecture for permission to keep a non-domesticated animal, but all were rejected.
Local authorities threatened to remove or euthanise the animal, and Cappé faced potential prison time and a fine of up to €150,000 for "capturing or detaining wild animals".
The case sparked outrage among animal rights activists and made headlines across France, with French film legend Brigitte Bardot joining those calling for Rillette to be allowed to stay on the farm. A petition was launched, and local demonstrations took place in support of the boar.
Brigitte Bardot slams 'massacre' of Chamois as Doubs approves culling of 594 animals
On Thursday, 16 January the Chalons-en-Champagne administrative tribunal ruled in Cappé's favor, ordering the prefecture to reconsider the application to keep Rillette and awarding the owner €1,500 in damages.
Cappé called the decision a "great victory," crediting media attention for helping to sway the court's ruling. She announced that she would donate the damages to charity.
Despite the legal drama, Cappé says Rillette remains unconcerned by the news. "She is just playing, she does not care. She belongs with us."
French lawmakers lock horns over bullfighting ban for children
(with Reuters)
