Manitoba Hog Farm under Investigation for Animal Cruelty
By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
Troubles in the hog industry are proving to be a crisis situation. On a farm in western Manitoba, 1,300 piglets had to be euthanized after an anonymous tip suspected inhumane treatment. After an investigation was made, the chief veterinarian disclosed in a news release that the piglets were found “in severe stress” and they were put down “to avoid pain and suffering.” The name of the farm or the community will not be released to the public until after a full investigation has been completed.
Industry spokesperson Doug Chorney, President of Keystone Agriculture Producers explains that farmers in the pork industry are experiencing a crisis with low prices for hogs coupled with the high prices for feed that’s been driven by the severe drought is making weanlings worthless. "I phoned my neighbour who's been a lifetime hog producer and is a very astute business person," said Chorney, who noted the neighbour's farm has raised hogs for 75 years. He said, 'We're depopulating our barn and by November there will be no hogs left,” said Chorney.
It’s a dire situation that farmers are faced with, but it’s no excuse for animal cruelty. If farmers can no longer support their herds they should be encouraged to contact their local SPCA branch or speak to their provincial hog board to examine what should be done. While this situation is unfortunate, it should be known that acts of animal cruelty don’t represent the hog industry as a whole.