Porky the pig
© Jacklyn WagnerSenior Const Peter Richardson and Const Amanda Vidler in heavy rain coax the reluctant pig off the roundabout at the junction of Woodlark and Dawson streets.
She caused traffic chaos, provoked guffaws of laughter from passers-by and inspired more than a few Lismore residents to throw some bacon on their Australia Day barbies.

Dubbed 'Porky' by arresting officer Senior Constable Peter Richardson, the mystery sow was spotted just before 11am yesterday crossing the road on to the roundabout at the junction of Woodlark and Dawson streets in central Lismore.

She chomped away on a stray piece of cardboard, oblivious to the spectacle she was creating, as locals enjoying their long weekend stopped to take pictures on their camera phones.

"It's a good start to Australia Day," Joshua Hunt, 18, of Lismore, said.

"My friend and I were just driving along talking about Australia Day and we saw a random pig walking through the streets.

"We're going to have to have a barbecue now. We'll have to get some bacon."

Mr Hunt and his friend, Ryan Walker, were just two of many to stop their cars and approach the pig for a closer look.

"It has made my Australia Day," another onlooker, Joanne Martin, said.

Following a phone call from a member of the public to Lismore police the pig was 'arrested'.

Senior Constable Richardson and Constable Amanda Vidler borrowed a rope and coaxed the pig off the roundabout to the safety of the roadside to prevent traffic accidents.

Neither officer had arrested a pig before.

"It's the first one I've seen in town," Snr. Const. Phillip Clethero, who stopped by to see the pig, said.

After enduring more than an hour baby-sitting the sow in torrential rain, the officers were relieved of Porky duty by Lismore City Council senior ranger Stuart Thomson. He arrived with a horse float to carry the pig away.

Mr Thomson took the pig to the pound, but needed some help getting her into a kennel.

"She was pretty traumatised," he said.

"She's got a cat for company and she was asleep on the floor when I checked on her."

The owner can claim Porky by calling the Lismore City Council on 6625๏€ฎ0500.