Police are hunting a suspected swine feeler - who allegedly raped a pregnant pig in Thailand.

Shocked farmer Kong, 40, said she heard the distressed sow making strange noises from the pen next to her home in rural Buriram province on January 13.

Thinking it was about to give birth, she looked out of her window - only to see the naked porker 'in a kneeling position' apparently having sex with the farm animal.

Officers are now investigating the alleged animal abuse case. They said the man was around 5ft tall with a shaven head.

The horrified local recounted the incident, saying: 'I didn't dare go out to look because I was alone. So I decided to shout at the man to tell him to leave or I would call the police. When he heard me, he was surprised and ran away while still naked.

'I couldn't take a photo because I was so shocked. I saw him fleeing through the back, ducking under the barbed wire.'

Kong added she had been up that night searching for how to help pigs give birth as her sow was already two months pregnant.

The shaken woman then called authorities after the intruder had fled.

She added: 'My pig's behind was sore. It was clear that somebody had interfered with her. I feel sick when I think about the person abusing her. It's disgusting, they need to be caught and given help for their proclivities.'

Buriram police and village officials conducted an investigation and found the nine-month-old sow in its pen with two other pigs. They found that its genitals were red and swollen from the alleged rape.

Scattered around the pigsty were pieces of rice bran, believed to have been used by the man to distract the pig while we had his way with it, suggesting it was pre-meditated as he had brought the snacks with him.

Officers also discovered a set of footprints near the pigsty and on the nearby road.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Somboon said: 'The suspect can be prosecuted for trespassing and animal abuse by having sex with the pig. We are treating it as seriously as every case.

'There is no CCTV in the farm to watch but we think we can find the man by checking local homes in the village. The attacker was not from far away, he knew which pig to attack and how to do it.'

Animal sex offenders can face up to a year in prison and a fine of 20,000 Baht (45O GBP).

Local media reported the incident has caused unrest among residents in the area, who fear the still-unidentified man might return to the community.