World's heaviest pig sacrificed

The world's heaviest pig has been sacrificed as part of a religious ceremony, sparking fury among animal welfare groups.

The animal, which was force fed sand and metal to reach its record breaking weight of 908kg (143 stone), could not even stand as it had its throat slit at the ritual in Taiwan.

Activists filmed the animal squealing in terror before it was bled to death and paraded before a crowd on Saturday – even though officials have banned the event.

The annual Pig of God festival involves a heaviest pig contest, with the winner sacrificing their animal in honour of the president.

A World Society for the Protection of Animals spokesman said: 'We want to bring a complete end to this grotesque freak show.'

Police in the town of Hsin Chu are reluctant to enforce a ban on the contest.