Three men charged over pig abuse footage

The animal abuse occurred on Fir Tree Farm in Goxhill, North Lincolnshire (Photo: Google)
The animal abuse occurred on Fir Tree Farm in Goxhill, North Lincolnshire (Photo: Google)

Three men from Lincolnshire have been charged after undercover footage showed them kicking pigs in the face and head, often violently and repeatedly, in over 100 incidents.

The footage was taken in April via a number of secret cameras left on Fir Tree pig farm in Lincolnshire, following an anonymous tip-off to animal welfare charity Animal Equality.

The farm is owned by Elsham Linc – one of Britain’s largest pig producers.

The workers leave a ‘downed’ pig without veterinary care for 48 hours before shooting it. Workers are seen laughing about the abuse and swearing at pigs.

Troy Wagstaff, 30, from Grimsby, Artirs Grogprkevs, 31, of Fir Tree Farm, and Gavin Hardy, 39, from South Killingholme, are charged with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

All three are due to appear at Grimsby Magistrates' Court on 23 November.

The National Pig Association (NPA) has reacted to the footage, said that as an organisation it does not tolerate or condone violence towards animals in any way.

“We are clear that the actions of the individuals depicted in the footage are indefensible and should be treated accordingly,” the NPA said.

“Such behaviour is abhorrent to all pig farmers and the business involved, which has acted responsibly and immediately by terminating employment of the members of staff following a thorough investigation and is cooperating fully with the authorities.

“The NPA will take the lead in investigating what further measures can be put in place to prevent any similar incidents from occurring on British pig farms.”