A screenshot from a video posted by a local animal rights group shows a crowded transport trucks full of pigs, and it appears some are stacked on top of each other.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kamloops Animal Rights Movement and Advocacy
July 24, 2018 - 6:30 PM
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KAMLOOPS - Officials are investigating after a social media video showing overcrowded pigs in a transport truck was published by a local animal rights group.
The Kamloops Animals Rights Movement and Advocacy said in a news release that members of their group captured the video, and in the social media post says the pigs were in the back of the truck in 32 C weather on Highway 5 on July 11.
“It was devastating to see how much these helpless animals were struggling,” organizer Kira Blaise said in the release. “They were curious, sniffing my hand and oinking as if to say hello. They were very gentle and reminded me of dogs. But they didn’t have enough room to stand or lie down comfortably, and were forced to push into and climb on top of each other.
Cheif prevention officer with the B.C. SPCA Marcie Moriarty tells iNFOnews.ca that the association has been made aware of the video.
"I can confirm we did receive a copy of that video from an individual," Moriarty says. "We opened up a file, we have launched an investigation."
The B.C. SPCA is also working with its counterparts in Alberta, where the pigs originally were transported from, Moriarty says. She believes the pigs in the video are showing signs of distress, but the B.C. SPCA will consult veterinary opinions to see if the behaviour does meet the threshold for an animal being in distress.
"On the face of it, watching that video, it was very disturbing," she says.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in an email statement that it was made aware of the video, and will be conducting follow up inspections to gather more information about the pig shipment.
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