Pig blimp floated, then swine flew

BARRIE, Ontario, July 3 (UPI) -- A Canadian radio station north of Toronto is offering a $1,000 reward for a pig blimp that slipped its tether and began floating toward the nation's capital.

The mishap occurred Wednesday during Canada Day celebrations at a lakeside park, the Toronto Sun reported.

Red-faced promotions staff of Rock 95 FM watched helplessly as the pink helium-filled blimp soared aloft and away, the report said.

Station manager Doug Bingley said he posted the reward as he was saddened by the loss.

"I love that pig," he told the Sun.

As a precaution, he said he contacted the federal Transport Canada agency to alert them of possible hazards to aircraft, but was assured there wouldn't be a problem.

The last sighting had the pig moving northeast toward Ottawa, where Parliament is in summer recess.