Trial begins for woman who gave water to overheated pigs

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Daksha Rangan

Digital Reporter

Thursday, August 25, 2016, 11:02 AM - An animal rights activist who was charged for giving water to slaughter-bound pigs appeared in a Burlington, Ont. court Wednesday for the start of her trial.

Anita Krajnc, member of the animal welfare organization Toronto Pig Save, is facing jail time or a fine of up to $5,000 for mischief, after she provided water through the small openings of a metal animal trailer to pigs headed to Burlington's Fearman's Pork Inc. in June 2015.

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Backed by fellow activists both in and outside the courthouse, Kranjic stands behind her actions, noting that the pigs were severely dehydrated and overheated, the CBC reports.

When Krajnc attempted to help the pigs, she got into a heated conversation with the slaughter house's truck driver, Jeffrey Veldjesgraaf, which was caught on camera by another activist.

"These are not humans, you dumb frickin' broad," Veldjesgraaf can be heard saying. The driver later went on to tell the court that there were 190 pigs in transit, worth roughly $45,000.

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Veldjesgraaf noted that during the entire 110-kilometre drive -- totaling an hour and a half -- the pigs weren't given water. Upon arrival at Fearman's they received water right away.

His concern, Veldjesgraaf told the court, was that the water might contaminate the pigs.

Footage of the incident was played in court Wednesday.

Pork farmer Eric Van Boekel from Mount Elgin, Ont. contacted the police the day after the incident, CBC notes. After investigating, Krajnc was charged for mischief and pouring an "unknown liquid" into the trailer.

The trial continues in Burlington's Ontario Court of Justice Thursday, with dates scheduled for Oct. 3, Nov. 1 (in Milton), and Nov. 10.

Related Video: Steer escapes slaughterhouse, trots down street

SOURCE: CBC News | Toronto Pig Save, Facebook