Animal Care and Abuse Policy
DOWNLOADNovember 8, 2019 - Casey Zangaro, Elizabeth Ferry, Madonna Benjamin
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EmailA zero tolerance policy for any willful acts of abuse. Acts of these kind are unacceptable and will not be tolerated (National Pork Board, 2015). These include acts that fall outside of the normally accepted production practices for swine farms or that intentionally cause pain and suffering to an animal. Examples of mistreatment include:
• Applying electric prods to sensitive parts of the animal such as eyes, ears, nose, genitals or rectum (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Malicious hitting or beating of an animal, which can cause pain, bruising or injury. This includes striking an animal with a closed fist, a foot, handling equipment or other hard or solid objects (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Driving pigs off of high ledges or other areas to purposefully cause them to fall to the ground.
• Dragging a conscious animal by any part of its body. Considerations will be made for nonambulatory animals, which should be moved according to farm policy (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Not following farm guidelines for handling nonambulatory animals, animals that have no prospect for improvement or are not responding to care and treatment after two days of intensive care. The treatment period may be extended as recommended by a veterinarian (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Beating, hitting or dragging nonambulatory or “downer” pigs. • Using improper methods for euthanasia. This includes any method of euthanasia not approved in the document On-Farm Euthanasia of Swine: Recommendations for the Producer, which is approved by the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (National Pork Board, 2016).
• Dropping or throwing animals on purpose (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Causing physical damage to the snout or tusks of a boar to reduce aggression (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Failing to provide food or water or care to animals that results in harm or death (National Pork Board, 2015).
• Performing any other action that may cause undue stress or pain to the animal. Willful acts of abuse are not limited to those listed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
