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When Ms. Cappé’s local authorities refused her permission to keep the wild animals – and were unable to find a sanctuary that would take the large animals – she was faced with two choices.
He could give the pig to a woman who trained animals for a film for profit, or Rillette would be euthanised – neither of which he wanted to happen.
Ms Cappé describes Rillette – whom she cuddles and strokes – as her “best friend”.
“We both play a lot. I learned many things. He knows how to sit (on command), lie down, play with the dog.
“She joins us for horse riding. She sleeps with the dog. She is a clown! She spends her days doing silly things.”
Keeping pigs, however, means Ms Cappé risks a three-year prison sentence and a €150,000 (£127,000) fine.
His appeal to the French court gained worldwide attention. He said he received calls from Germany, Ukraine, Brazil, Canada and the US while fighting the case.
Rillette’s story has drawn comparisons to a case in the US last year, where a tame squirrel named Peanut who had a large following on social media was put down by authorities, sparking protests.
