Big piggy couldn't stay home

Auckland Council Animal Management's Scott Whitley with the wandering female saddleback pig. Photo / Janna Dixon

"This little piggy went to market, this little piggy stayed at home..."

Well, not quite.

A not-so-little piggy was impounded after she was found wandering a street in Papakura two weeks ago.

Now council contractors are wondering how to return the wayward porker to her rightful owner before she's auctioned off on Wednesday.

Animal Control Services Ltd has advertised for the owner to claim the 6-month-old 40kg saddleback.

It is the first time senior animal control officer Christo van der Merwe has picked up such a breed.

"It's strange as well for us - we picked the pig up in a residential area. It was just wandering down the road."

The member of the public who found it is interested in keeping the pig, though he will have to attend the auction.

"He thought it might make a good Sunday roast."