A woman on the north coast of New South Wales in Australia is being held hostage in her own home by a large pig, Australian media report.

Caroline Hayes, 63, says the pig is comparable in size to “a Shetland pony” and that she cannot get out of her home because of its aggressive behaviour.

“It started knocking on my door at 4 am, barging the door, wanting some food,” she told ABC television.

When she opened the door, she said, the pig pushed her back inside the house.

The offending animal, whom locals have nicknamed “Bruce”, also pulled a large mattress out of her garage and ripped to pieces.

Ms Hayes, who describes herself as an animal-loving vegetarian, admits she and some of her friends had begun feeding Bruce.

Rangers from the local council tried to catch the large animal but their cage was too small to fit the beast.

Ranger Len Hing, who visited the scene, explained that Bruce’s considerable size makes him difficult to control.

“He is a bald pig, about 80 kilos” he said.

“I wouldn’t like to see the pig go as a pet anywhere because he potentially could become a dangerous animal.”

Rangers say the pig will be captured and taken to a piggery.