Two farm workers have pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal while employed at Fir Tree Farm in Lincolnshire.
Artis Grogprkevs and Troy Wagstaff attended Grimsby Magistrates' Court yesterday, where Wagstaff also pleaded not guilty to a second charge of causing unnecessary cruelty. The charge relates to footage allegedly showing him spraying paint up a pig's nose.
A third man who was also charged - Gavin Hardy - did not show.
The men were filmed attacking the pigs between April 2 and April 27, 2018, by international animal protection agency Animal Equality.
Footage shows workers apparently swearing at animals, as well as slamming gates on them, and jabbing them repeatedly with pitchforks - as they can be heard squealing.
GRAPHIC: Animal Equality's disturbing footage
“We are pleased that these two pig farm workers have been convicted for their disgusting attacks on the vulnerable animals in their care revealed by our investigation," Dr. Toni Shephard, Animal Equality's UK Director, told Plant Based News.
"We thank the RSPCA for prosecuting this case so swiftly.
"We expect these men to face the fullest force of the law for these extreme acts of cruelty."
The case has been adjourned until December 20.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are prepared in the author's capacity and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Plant Based News itself.
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Maria is the Editor of Plant Based News. A former magazine editor, newspaper reporter, and features writer, her work has been published by The Guardian, The Huffington Post, and various regional newspapers, as well as Vegan Life magazine and Vegan Trade Journal. She has interviewed a huge range of people, from Prime Ministers to authors, activists, pop stars and actors, and enjoys the varied range of topics writing for PBN allows her to tackle. You can follow her on Twitter @MariaChiorando and Instagram @mariachiorando.
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