Ottawa drivers on Highway 417 got an unexpected surprise this week when a pig leaped from a transport truck near the Carling Avenue exit, and a group of good Samaritans made sure the story had a happy ending.
What Happened
The pig apparently tumbled out of a livestock transport truck while it was moving along the 417. Witnesses pulled over, and a small team of passersby worked together to corral the animal and keep it safe from traffic while waiting for help to arrive.
It's the kind of only-in-Ottawa moment that simultaneously baffles and warms the heart. The highway, which during rush hour is a study in collective frustration, briefly became the site of a small act of collective kindness.
The Pig Made It
Good news: the pig survived its highway adventure without serious injury. Authorities and animal control were contacted, and the animal was eventually reunited with its transport.
For the people who stopped, disrupting their own commutes, possibly running late for meetings, definitely getting some mud on their shoes. There was presumably the satisfaction of knowing they did something genuinely good on an otherwise ordinary Saturday.
A Reminder About Livestock Transport
Incidents like this are rare but not unheard of on Ontario highways. Livestock transport trucks do occasionally lose animals, particularly during loading or if a latch isn't secured properly. If you ever see a loose animal on a highway, the advice from OPP is consistent: don't approach the animal yourself without backup, call 911, and use your hazard lights to warn other drivers.
Ottawa may be a government town at heart, but apparently it's also a city that will stop everything for a pig in need.
Source: CBC Ottawa
