In July 2025, a series of prosecutions in different locations sparked conversations about the moral treatment of pigs, a species traditionally overlooked in animal welfare discussions.
Although historical precedents indicate that cruelty to pigs has seldom been recognized as an offense, recent cases may signify a shift in societal attitudes towards these animals.
The World Economic Forum reports that civilization slaughters approximately 1.5 billion pigs annually for meat, a staggering increase from just 50 years ago, when the figure was around 500 million.
In the United States alone, around 124 million pigs are raised and killed each year, typically in conditions far worse than those experienced by community pet pigs like Eddie the Pig.
Eddie was a cherished resident of the Kitty Charm Farm Sanctuary in Maui, Hawaii, under the care of president Sarah Haynes.
He was initially rescued from a troubling background where he endured abuse, but his friendly demeanor brought comfort to many visitors at the sanctuary.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck when two young men invaded the sanctuary, capturing Eddie under horrifying conditions.
Krys-Ryan Saito Carino and Jayden Jarnesky-Magana broke into the sanctuary and hog-tied the pig before dragging him to a remote location.
They used Eddie to film a fake hunting video, ultimately killing him and participating in a hunting contest where they won a cash prize for his capture.
This gruesome act drew widespread condemnation, especially when it was revealed post-mortem that Eddie had been neutered and did not resemble the wild pigs they claimed to have hunted.
Eyewitnesses began to question the validity of their hunting claims when they struggled to carry Eddie’s hefty body to the weigh-in scale.
The aftermath saw Saito Carino and Jarnesky-Magana identified early as first-time offenders.
They pleaded “no contest” to various charges, including animal cruelty and theft of livestock, and ultimately received light sentences.
Jarnesky-Magana was sentenced to one night in jail and four years of probation, while Saito Carino received five nights in jail along with five years on probation.
These outcomes left Sarah Haynes disheartened, as they seemed to establish a precedent that light penalties would follow severe violations of animal rights in Hawaii.
Historically, Hawaii had not seen any significant prosecutions specifically addressing cruelty to pigs, making this case notable despite its lenient sentencing.
A similar case arose in Vermont, where a farmer named Matthew Hill was charged with aggravated animal cruelty for allegedly dragging a pig behind an ATV, leading to public outcry.
Residents captured video evidence of the pig suffering, heightening the case’s importance in the broader discussion of animal rights.
Scheduled for trial in August 2025, the outcome could further impact attitudes towards laws protecting pigs in states like Vermont that have not seen significant animal cruelty prosecutions.
Meanwhile, in Australia, two hunters received convictions for animal cruelty, marking a rare acknowledgment of accountability in a country known for slaughtering millions of pigs annually.
Riley Thomas Lang and Marie Ann Parker were found guilty of multiple charges related to their treatment of feral pigs, setting a notable legal precedent in Western Australia.
Their case reflects an evolving legal landscape concerning animal welfare and cruelty, echoing the sentiments arising from the earlier incidents in Hawaii and Vermont.
As public awareness of animal rights continues to grow, it raises critical questions about moral responsibilities towards domesticated and feral animals alike.
The spotlight on these recent cases suggests a potential turning point in how society views and addresses animal cruelty, particularly for pigs who have long been subjected to neglect in animal welfare discussions.
image source from：animals24-7
