When Ms Cape’s local authorities refused her a wildlife permit – and were unable to find a shelter that would accept the large animal – she was faced with two options.
She could give the boar to a woman who trained animals for film for profit, or Rilette would be euthanized – she didn’t want either.
Ms Cape described Rilette, who she hugs and strokes, as her “best friend”.
“We both play a lot. I am learning a lot. She knows how to sit (on command), lie down, play with dogs.
“She joins us to ride horses. She sleeps with dogs. She is a clown! She spends her days doing stupid things to play.’
However, keeping the boar meant Ms Cape faced three years in prison and a €150,000 (£127,000) fine.
Her appeal to the French court attracted worldwide attention. She said she received calls from Germany, Ukraine, Brazil, Canada and the United States while fighting the case.
Rilette’s story has been compared to a case in the US last year where a pet squirrel named Peanut had a large following on social media was stopped by the authorities, which caused an uproar.
