'I feared he was going to kill me' - Woman speaks of terror after being attacked by 30st pig in Darlaston
A woman who was mauled by a pig has said she 'feared she was going to be killed' during the terrifying attack.
Marie Yates has undergone an operation at hospital after she was charged by the animal.
The savage attack in her back garden in Darlaston left Marie fearing for her life.
She remains in hospital, with painful injuries to both legs.
The 61-year-old carer suffered an 8in long and 2in deep gash on her right leg and also damage to her left.
The terrifying attack in Heathfield Lane on Wednesday morning left flesh hanging off one of Miss Yates' legs.
She told the Express & Star: "I was in bed reading my book when I heard a commotion.
"I knew the pig had started to smash a fence panel down but didn't think it could get through.
"But somehow it had, and smashed into my little tool shed and was eating some of my plants.
"Perhaps naively I thought I could shoo it back to its pen with a broom, so I went out to try to do that but he charged at me.
"He's a great big thing and he ripped the front of my leg.
"I was screaming and trying to get away.
"I thought 'I could get killed here' and tried to run away and then he got the back of my leg as well.
"I seriously thought he was going to kill me."
Marie escaped onto the street and was tracked by the pig, who made its way out into the road.
She was treated by paramedics and taken to Walsall Manor Hospital, where she remains today (sat).
The pig was recovered by its owner and taken back to its home.
Marie added: "The pig charged so fast there was no chance I could have got out of the way.
"One of my neighbours was in his garden and I shouted over to him that the pig was attacking me and I was bleeding badly.
"It's a bit blurry but I managed to get to my car which is parked at the back and then got out into the road.
"But the pig followed me out into the roadway.
"My neighbour called an ambulance then the police apparently sent somebody around to look for the pig but clearly [his owner] managed to cajole him back into the pen.
"My brother spoke to the police and they said if they had caught [the pig] they could've shot it but can't as it's back in its pen now."
The extent of Marie's injuries mean she has faced a spell in hospital and has been operated on.
But she remains under supervision in case her wounds get infected.
She suffered an 8in long and 2in deep gash on her right leg and also damage to her left.
"The flesh was just hanging off my shin and off the back of my thigh.
"It looked like someone had just used an ice cream scoop and run it up my leg – the flesh was completely peeled back.
"People at the hospital are so appalled they have been taking photos.
"I've had an operation but the doctors told me they might have to repeat it if they haven't managed to get all the dirt out.
"At the moment they think it's quite clean and are quite happy with it but they've got to keep me in just in case any more bugs need zapping as obviously the pig is very dirty.
"I'm still in a lot of discomfort – a lot of pain.
"Not just my legs but also my back is bruised quite badly as well."
Marie, who is her mother Margaret's carer, said she is still in pain after the attack – but suggested if the pig had attacked a child then it could have been deadly.
She said: "There's a school around the corner and every day you have mums walking their children to school and walking around with their babies.
"If there had been a child I think it would've been killed."
Emergency services were called to the scene just before 9.30am on Wednesday.
The pig, called Hammy, was finally collared by its owner and returned to the shed where it is kept.
The animal is around four years old and hasn't been seen by neighbours since the attack.
Experts believe it is a Gloucester Old Spot breed and Marie suggested it weighs around 30st.
Marie's brother Greg, 53, said: "She was just getting into to her car when she saw a pair of eyes looking back at her.
"The pig just charged at her. She turned her back to it and it left her with a large gash down the back of her right leg.
"As she tried to get away it attack her front on and she was left with another deep wound on the front of her left leg.
"She managed to escape by waiting in a space between the car and a wall. The pig was too fat to get into the space.
"She got into her car for protection and was bleeding all over the car. The pig went out into the streets and she got in the house.
"It has completely wrecked the garden. There was blood all over the house. If it had been a child it would have killed them. There is every chance it will happen again.
"We are animal lovers but the pig either needs to be removed or put down for everyone's safety.
"I understand the police were on shoot to kill orders but the pig owner's girlfriend found it first.
"We think they had a licence for a micro pig but this definitely isn't a micro pig."
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "Police received a call to a pig on the loose in Heathfield Lane, Darlaston at 9.26am on Wednesday.
"One police officer was at the scene and so were the ambulance service.
"A 61-year-old woman was treated for injuries to her leg from the pig."
"The pig was eventually taken back to its pen at a home in the same road."
Ambulance service spokesman Jamie Arrowsmith said: “Crews arrived to find a woman who had suffered injuries to both of her legs.
“Following treatment on scene, she was transported to Walsall Manor Hospital for further assessment.”
