Charges Dropped Against Activist Who Gave Water to Pigs

A Canadian judge dismissed all charges against animal-rights activist Anita Krajnc in an Ontario court today. Krajnc stood trial for criminal mischief charges—which held a maximum six-month prison sentence and up to a $5,000 fine—for her involvement in a 2015 Toronto Pig Save (an organization Krajnc co-founded in 2010) event wherein she gave water to thirsty pigs in a truck on their way to slaughter. Judge David Harris found that he did not believe beyond a reasonable doubt that Krajnc interfered with “property” during the incident. Krajnc expressed her gratitude toward Judge Harris for his compassionate ruling, stating it was a step forward in recognizing animals as individuals. “But we need to go further,” Krajnc tells VegNews. “The law needs to recognize pigs and all animals as persons, instead of giving them the degrading status of property. When you see animals as individuals, it becomes impossible to hurt them and the necessity of going vegan becomes clear.” Krajnc’s trial—dubbed “The Pig Trial”—has inspired a global movement of bearing witness to animal cruelty, and 150 groups now participate in The Save Movement across several continents. “Judge David Harris’ ruling today is yet further verification that compassion is not a crime,” Krajnc said. “Compassion should never be illegal.”