SALT LAKE CITY – Animal activists upset about the treatment of pigs protested outside of a Wal-Mart on Tuesday.
Nearly two-dozen protesters came out in support of the group Mercy for Animals. They protested in front of the Wal-Mart located at 350 Hope Ave.
The group said an undercover investigation in July revealed that a major pork supplier, Christensen Farms, uses what the activists call “cruel crates.”
Wal-Mart buys pork from that supplier, and the protesters said Wal-Mart shouldn't do business with that supplier in light of the way they treat animals.
Protester Phil Letten said the conditions in the crates are horrible.
“The hidden cost of Wal-Mart's cheap pork is egregious animal abuse,” he said. “At numerous Wal-Mart pork suppliers we documented pregnant pigs confined to filthy crates. They're so small the animal can't even turn around for their entire lives. This is blatant animal abuse that Wal-Mart shouldn't be tolerating.”
A Wal-Mart spokesperson replying to inquiries from Fox 13 released the following statement:
“This is a complicated issue. We’re listening closely to points of view from farmers, food manufacturers, animal rights organizations, customers and others. We think constructive dialogue and a collaborative approach is the right path to the right solution.”
Watch the video for above for a look at the conditions in the crates filmed by Mercy for Animals.
