Two animal rights activists accused of taking two piglets from a Utah farm and recording the conditions inside have been found not guilty in a unanimous jury decision, Utah Public Radio reports. On Saturday, the two were acquitted of felony burglary and theft charges. If convicted, they could have each faced up to five years in prison.
Activists Paul Darwin Picklesimer and Wayne Hsiung, reportedly broke into a factory farm near Milford, Utah, several years ago. There, they took two piglets from the farm owned by Smithfield Foods. Picklesimer and Hsiung are part of an animal welfare organization named “Direct Action Everywhere.”
“The verdict is very disappointing as it may encourage anyone opposed to raising animals for food to vandalize farms,” says Jim Monroe, vice president of corporate affairs for Smithfield.
Following this 2017 incident, Smithfield immediately launched an investigation and completed a third-party audit after learning of alleged mistreatment of animals on a company-owned hog farm in Milford, Utah. The audit results showed no findings of animal mistreatment, Monroe explains.
“Those involved in this incident claim to be animal care advocates,” he says. “They risked the lives of the animals they stole and the lives of the animals living on our farms by trespassing and violating our strict biosecurity policy that prevents the spread of disease.”
Monroe adds that the individuals who committed this act are part of an anti-meat movement determined to undermine livestock agriculture.
“We raise pigs to feed people with wholesome, nutritious and affordable protein. Any deviation from our high standards for animal care is counterproductive to this mission and would never be tolerated,” Monroe says. “From the farm to our processing facilities, we continue to uphold our steadfast commitment to the safety, health and comfort of our animals through biosecurity, regular veterinary care, and safe, comfortable housing through every stage of our animals’ lives.”
It is important for the animal agriculture community to pay attention to the outcomes of trials like this, explains Hannah Thompson Weeman, president and CEO of the Animal Agriculture Alliance. It’s especially important to watch how DXE attempts to defend itself, as she said they could set a concerning precedent and embolden more animal rights extremists.
“Regardless of the outcome of these trials, groups like DXE will be learning from the experience and adjusting their strategies accordingly, along with gaining media exposure for their cause. The Alliance will be keeping a close eye on these proceedings, and I suggest anyone interested in safeguarding the future of animal agriculture do the same,” she wrote in a Porkbusiness.com column.
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