Pig Injustices and Suffering

Loss of life is an injustice even if done suddenly and painlessly (which it is not).

To take the life of any sentient being is to harm that being by depriving them of opportunities for fulfillment, even if it is done suddenly and painlessly (which it is not, as explained below). 

We have no nutritional need for pig meat, so denying pigs their lives is unnecessary, as are the other forms of suffering enumerated here.

Like all farmed animals, pigs are allowed to live just a small fraction of their natural lifespans. They are slaughtered after living 5 to 6 months of a 10 to 12-year lifespan, representing about 5 percent of their natural lifespan.¹

All the accepted methods of pig slaughter are inhumane and include electrocution, gas, bolt guns, or gunshot.

In the United States, federal regulations require that pigs be stunned to unconsciousness prior to slaughter by one of four methods: electricity, chemicals (gas), captive bolt device, or gunshot.²

The smallest slaughter plants generally use gunshot or captive bolt; mid-sized plants often use electricity, and the nation’s largest pork companies—Smithfield Foods, Tyson Foods, and JBS USA—mostly use carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas to stun pigs.³

The four methods of stunning allowed in the United States are used in other countries.⁴

Stunning and Scalding Alive

Pigs are often scalded alive.

Slaughter lines run so quickly,⁵ at an average of 960 kills per hour in a single line, that often pigs are not properly stunned.⁶

• As a consequence, some are still conscious when they reach the scalding tanks which remove their hair.⁷

Note: The USDA is attempting to remove limits on slaughter line speeds.⁸

Pigs are physically abused during stunning. Investigators have observed pigs “being beaten, shocked, dragged, and improperly stunned.”⁹

Gas Chambers: Burning and Suffocation

About Gassing

• Increasingly, pigs are slaughtered in carbon dioxide gas chambers rather than conventional slaughterhouses.(Humane Slaughter Association)[1]"The Stunning and Killing of Pigs", Humane Slaughter Association, May 2007
• “Gassing pigs is still the standard practice among the world’s largest pork producers, not because it’s humane, but because it’s more efficient, allowing for faster slaughterhouse operations.” (Sentient Media)[2]Matthew Zampa, "There’s Nothing “Humane” About Killing Pigs in Gas Chambers," Sentient Media, November 12, 2019

The Cruelty of Gassing

• Here’s how Sentient Media describes gassing: “For any living being, pig or human, inhaling high concentrations of CO2 is like being burned from the inside out. With each panicked hyperventilation, the pigs draw the toxic fumes deeper into their bodies, simultaneously suffocating from the lack of oxygen and convulsing violently from the abrasive poison being pumped into their lungs.(Sentient Media)[3]Matthew Zampa, "There’s Nothing “Humane” About Killing Pigs in Gas Chambers," Sentient Media, November 12, 2019
• The gas “acidifies eyes, nostrils, mouths and lungs, meaning the animals feel like they are burning from the inside out for 15-60 seconds or more.” (Phillip Lymbery)[4]"Is Gas Killing the Pig Industry's Darkest Secret?", Phillip Lymbery, November 11, 2021
• Gassing “involves lowering pigs into a gas chamber containing CO2, causing them to gasp for breath and hyperventilate, causing pain and panic amongst the terrified animals. [5]Compassion in World Farming, "PROMISING NEWS FOR EUROPE’S PIGS, November 13, 2020"

Condemnation of Gassing

• The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) “affirms that CO2 stunning is incompatible with pig welfare at slaughter.” (Eurogroup for Animals) [6]"EFSA (finally) affirms that CO2 stunning is incompatible with pig welfare at slaughter", Eurogroup for Animals, June 17, 2017
• A statement released by Eurogroup for Animals and nearly 70 member societies, including Compassion in World Farming and the RSPCA, called for an urgent move away from the gassing of pigs.(Phillip Lymbery)[7]"Is Gas Killing the Pig Industry's Darkest Secret?", Phillip Lymbery, November 11, 2021

Painful mutilations of pigs include teeth clipping, castration, tail docking, ear notching, and tattooing.

Teeth Clipping

Piglets have their sharp “needle teeth” clipped to prevent them from injuring each other when fighting over teats, inducing severe pain in pigs as it would in humans.[8]Hay, M. “Long-Term Detrimental Effects of Tooth Clipping or Grinding in Piglets: A Histological Approach.” Animal Welfare 13 (2004).

Piglets whose teeth have been clipped may experience more gum and tongue injuries, and potentially painful inflammation or abscesses of the teeth.”[9]"Welfare Implications of Teeth Clipping, Tail Docking and Permanent Identification of Piglets,"  American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), July 15, 2014

Teeth clipping can result in lasting damage. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, “clipping has been shown to increase longer-term behaviors suggestive of discomfort such as chomping.[10]Hay, M. “Long-Term Detrimental Effects of Tooth Clipping or Grinding in Piglets: A Histological Approach.” Animal Welfare 13 (2004).

Castration

Male piglets are castrated, primarily because their flesh can otherwise develop an unpleasant taste and smell.[11]Prunier, A. “A Review of the Welfare Consequences of Surgical Castration in Piglets and the Evaluation of Non-Surgical Methods.” Animal Welfare, no. 15 (2006): 277–89

Castration of pigs is generally done by making an incision in the scrotum and pulling out the testes, before cutting the spermatic cord.[12]Prunier, A. “A Review of the Welfare Consequences of Surgical Castration in Piglets and the Evaluation of Non-Surgical Methods.” Animal Welfare, no. 15 (2006): 277–89

In most countries, it is legal to carry out this procedure without an anesthetic in the piglet’s first week of life, despite the fact that this is known to be painful.[13]Prunier, A. “A Review of the Welfare Consequences of Surgical Castration in Piglets and the Evaluation of Non-Surgical Methods.” Animal Welfare, no. 15 (2006): 277–89

Carrying out castration at an early is risky because it can lead to incomplete castration and increase the risk of prolapse of the intestine.[14]Prunier, A. “A Review of the Welfare Consequences of Surgical Castration in Piglets and the Evaluation of Non-Surgical Methods.” Animal Welfare, no. 15 (2006): 277–89

Tail Docking

Pigs often bite each other’s tails when stressed, so some farmers cut off pigs’ tails to prevent this.[15]Herskin, M. S., K. Thodberg, and H. E. Jensen. “Effects of Tail Docking and Docking Length on Neuroanatomical Changes in Healed Tail Tips of Pigs.” Animal 9, no. 4 (April 2015): 677–81

Tail docking can cause acute and possibly chronic pain.[16]Herskin, M. S., K. Thodberg, and H. E. Jensen. “Effects of Tail Docking and Docking Length on Neuroanatomical Changes in Healed Tail Tips of Pigs.” Animal 9, no. 4 (April 2015): 677–81

Though tail docking is thought to reduce the incidence of serious injuries from biting, it does not eliminate them. [17]Harley, S, La Boyle, Ne O’Connell, Sj More, Dl Teixeira, and A Hanlon. “Docking the Value of Pigmeat? Prevalence and Financial Implications of Welfare Lesions in Irish Slaughter Pigs.” Animal … Continue reading

Ear Notching

Ear notching is painful.[18]S. Torrey, N. Devillers, M. Lessard, C. Farmer, T. Widowski, Effect of age on the behavioral and physiological responses of piglets to tail docking and ear notching, Journal of Animal Science, … Continue reading

Tattooing

Tattooing involves some degree of pain and is stressful.[19]Brach, E.J., B.S. Scobie, and D.P. Raymond. “Hog Tattooing Techniques.” Journal of Agricultural Engineering Research 41, no. 4 (December 1988): 339–44.

Unlike humans, when pigs are tattooed they are not consenting and don’t understand what’s happening to them.

Pigs are forced to endure cruel living conditions involving crowded pens, gestation crates, and farrowing crates.

Gestation Crates

Pregnant sows are often kept in metal stalls called gestation crates.[20]John McGlone, "Gestation Stall Design and Space: Care of Pregnant Sows in Individual Gestation Housing," National Pork Board

Gestation crates typically measure just 6.5 ft x 2.0 ft, meaning sows are not able to turn around.[21]"Welfare Implications of Gestation Sow Housing," American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), November 19, 2015

Some larger sows are not even able to lie on their sides (the way pigs normally sleep) in gestation crates.[22]"Welfare Implications of Gestation Sow Housing," American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), November 19, 2015

Gestation crates typically do not contain bedding material, instead having metal, plastic, or concrete floors.

Sows often chew on the bars of gestation crates, a sign of boredom and frustration.[23]Cronin, G. M., P. R. Wiepkema, and J. M. van Ree. “Andorphins Implicated in Stereotypies of Tethred Sows.” Experientia 42, no. 2 (February 1986): 198–99

Pigs prefer to relieve themselves a long way from where they eat and sleep, which is impossible when they are confined to crates.[24]"Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) on a Request from the Commission Related to Welfare of Weaners and Rearing Pigs: Effects of Different Space Allowances and … Continue reading

Gestation crates have been banned in nine US states.[25]Humane Society International. “Canada Bans Lifelong Confinement for Pigs in Controversial Gestation Crates,” March 6, 2014.

Gestation crates have been banned or restricted in the EU and Canada.[26]Humane Society International. “Canada Bans Lifelong Confinement for Pigs in Controversial Gestation Crates,” March 6, 2014.

Farrowing Crates

A few days before they are due to give birth, sows are moved to farrowing crates.[27]Aland, Andres, and Thomas Banhazi, eds. Livestock Housing: Modern Management to Ensure Optimal Health and Welfare of Farm Animals. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2013.

Farrowing crates are slightly larger than gestation crates to allow the sow to lie on her side and nurse her piglets.[28]Aland, Andres, and Thomas Banhazi, eds. Livestock Housing: Modern Management to Ensure Optimal Health and Welfare of Farm Animals. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2013.

Farrowing crates have an additional enclosure attached to prevent piglets from being accidentally crushed by the sow.[29]Aland, Andres, and Thomas Banhazi, eds. Livestock Housing: Modern Management to Ensure Optimal Health and Welfare of Farm Animals. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2013.

Sows remain in farrowing crates for about a month, before being impregnated again and returned to the gestation crates.[30]Humane Society International. “Canada Bans Lifelong Confinement for Pigs in Controversial Gestation Crates,” March 6, 2014.

There is no convincing evidence that farrowing crates reduce mortality.[31]Aland, Andres, and Thomas Banhazi, eds. Livestock Housing: Modern Management to Ensure Optimal Health and Welfare of Farm Animals. The Netherlands: Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2013.

Farrowing crates remain legal across the United States but have been banned in some countries. [32]Humane Society International. “Canada Bans Lifelong Confinement for Pigs in Controversial Gestation Crates,” March 6, 2014.

Crowded Pens

The stress of confinement can lead pigs to exhibit unnatural cannibalistic behavior.[33]Fox, Michael. “Factory Farming.” The Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy, 1980

Pigs may develop arthritis from lack of exercise and be injured when their feet are caught in the floor slats.[34]Fox, Michael. “Factory Farming.” The Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy, 1980

After being removed from their mothers, piglets are often crowded into pens where they barely have room to move until they reach slaughter weight.[35]Fox, Michael. “Factory Farming.” The Humane Society Institute for Science and Policy, 1980

Pigs suffer from high mortality rates and disease.

Mortality

Mortality rates for pigs are often high, and their bodies are sometimes left in the pens for extended periods.[36]Viva! Campaigns’ 2019 Investigation into Hogwood Pig Farm.” Viva!, August 14, 2019.

African Swine Fever

African swine fever is one example of pigs’ susceptibility to disease because of crowded filthy conditions.[37]Štukelj, Marina, and Jan Plut. “A Review of African Swine Fever – Disease That Is Now a Big Concern in Europe.” Contemporary Agriculture 67, no. 2 (July 1, 2018): 110–18.

An outbreak of African Swine Fever in China in mid-2019 resulted in the deaths of millions of pigs.[38]Gale, Jason, Hannah Dormido, and Adrian Leung. “African Swine Fever Is Spreading Fast and Eliminating It Will Take Decades.” Bloomberg.com.

African swine fever has an extremely high mortality rate of 95-100 percent in pigs.[39]Štukelj, Marina, and Jan Plut. “A Review of African Swine Fever – Disease That Is Now a Big Concern in Europe.” Contemporary Agriculture 67, no. 2 (July 1, 2018): 110–18.

There is no known treatment for African Swine Fever.[40]Štukelj, Marina, and Jan Plut. “A Review of African Swine Fever – Disease That Is Now a Big Concern in Europe.” Contemporary Agriculture 67, no. 2 (July 1, 2018): 110–18.

Selective Breeding for large litters and weight gain causes stress and can lead to heart and lung problems.

Large Litters

Modern sows have been bred to produce significantly larger litters than their wild counterparts. [41]Fonseca, Carlos, António Alves da Silva, Joana Alves, José Vingada, and Amadeu M. V. M. Soares. “Reproductive Performance of Wild Boar Females in Portugal.” European Journal of Wildlife … Continue reading

• Wild pigs produce litter sizes from 2 to 8 piglets.[42]Fonseca, Carlos, António Alves da Silva, Joana Alves, José Vingada, and Amadeu M. V. M. Soares. “Reproductive Performance of Wild Boar Females in Portugal.” European Journal of Wildlife … Continue reading
• The average liter for sized liter from framed pigs is over 12.[43]Prunier, A., M. Heinonen, and H. Quesnel. “High Physiological Demands in Intensively Raised Pigs: Impact on Health and Welfare.” Animal 4, no. 6 (June 2010): 886–98.

Suckling so many piglets can put immense strain on the sow and cause her to lose body weight.[44]Prunier, A., M. Heinonen, and H. Quesnel. “High Physiological Demands in Intensively Raised Pigs: Impact on Health and Welfare.” Animal 4, no. 6 (June 2010): 886–98.

Weight Gain

Pigs who are being fattened gain an average of 770 grams a day, while pigs more closely related to wild boar gained 47 grams less per day.[45]Casas-Carrillo, E, A Prill-Adams, S G Price, A C Clutter, and B W Kirkpatrick. “Mapping Genomic Regions Associated with Growth Rate in Pigs.” Journal of Animal Science 75, no. 8 (1997): … Continue reading

The harm to pigs of selective breeding for weight gain are:

• Pigs have been bred to gain weight so rapidly that they sometimes struggle to support their own body weight.[46]Prunier, A., M. Heinonen, and H. Quesnel. “High Physiological Demands in Intensively Raised Pigs: Impact on Health and Welfare.” Animal 4, no. 6 (June 2010): 886–98.
• The rapid weight gain from selective breeding of pigs can lead to joint and leg problems.[47]Prunier, A., M. Heinonen, and H. Quesnel. “High Physiological Demands in Intensively Raised Pigs: Impact on Health and Welfare.” Animal 4, no. 6 (June 2010): 886–98.
• Pigs’ increased muscle mass from selective breeding means their hearts and lungs are proportionally smaller than those of their ancestors, which can cause even young pigs to die from heart attacks.[48]Broom, Donald. “The Roles of Industry and Science, including genetic selection, in improving animal welfare,” Animal Science and Biotechnologies 42, no. 2 (2009): 532–46
• Selective breeding for lean muscle has led to the prevalence of a gene that makes pigs very sensitive to stress.[49]Prunier, A., M. Heinonen, and H. Quesnel. “High Physiological Demands in Intensively Raised Pigs: Impact on Health and Welfare.” Animal 4, no. 6 (June 2010): 886–98.

Artificial Insemination is invasive, stressful, and denies pigs a natural behavior.

Artificial insemination of pigs rather than natural breeding is common,[50]National Hog Farmer. “Proper AI Techniques, Semen Handling,” October 15, 2007.

Artificial insemination gives farms more control over the characteristics of the piglets.

Artificial insemination is a stressful procedure[51]Grandin, Temple. “Reduce Stress of Handling to Improve Productivity of Livestock.” Veterinary Medicine, June 198to which pigs cannot consent. Also, it denies pigs a natural behavior.

Pigs often endure cruel and brutal handling, including being beaten, punched, kicked, shaken, shocked with prods, and left to die.

Rough handling cause many pigs to become non-ambulatory.[52]Ritter, M.J., M. Ellis, N.L. Berry, S.E. Curtis, L. Anil, E. Berg, M. Benjamin, et al. “Review : Transport Losses in Market Weight Pigs: I. A Review of Definitions, Incidence, and Economic … Continue reading

Pigs who cannot move may be beaten, dragged, or shocked with electric prods to move them through the killing line.[53]"Hormel: USDA-Approved High-Speed Slaughter Hell," Animal Outlook

Sick piglets have been denied veterinary care and thrown into piles and left to die slowly.[54]"WATCH: Criminal Animal Abuse Caught on Video at Walmart Pork Supplier," Mercy for Animals, May 6, 2015

Multiple investigations conducted by Mercy for Animals and others have recorded pigs being:[55]"WATCH: Criminal Animal Abuse Caught on Video at Walmart Pork Supplier," Mercy for Animals, May 6, 2015[56]"The Horrifying Truth About Pig Farms," NowThis February 25, 2020[57]One can find numerous pig abuse videos from multiple sources with this search

• punched
• kicked
• beaten
• shouted at
• having their hair pulled out
• violently shaken
• poked in the eyes
• hit with wooden boards.

Pigs may be transported in extreme conditions without rest, food, and water.

Legally in the United States, pigs can be transported for up to 28 hours at a time with no rest, food, or water.[58]Garcia, Arlene, Glenna Pirner, Guilherme Picinin, Matthew May, Kimberly Guay, Brittany Backus, Mhairi Sutherland, and John McGlone. “Effect of Provision of Feed and Water during Transport on the … Continue reading

Pigs are often transported hundreds of miles in extreme temperatures to be slaughtered, which can lead to deaths due to frostbite or heat stress.[59]Grandin, T. “The Welfare of Pigs during Transport and Slaughter.” Pig News and Information 24, no. 3 (2003): 83–90

Pigs find vibration from transport very uncomfortable and often suffer from travel sickness.[60]Bradshaw, R. H., R. F. Parrott, M. L. Forsling, J. A. Goode, D. M. Lloyd, R. G. Rodway, and D. M. Broom. “Stress and Travel Sickness in Pigs: Effects of Road Transport on Plasma Concentrations of … Continue reading

The stress of transport cause many pigs to become non-ambulatory.[61]Ritter, M.J., M. Ellis, N.L. Berry, S.E. Curtis, L. Anil, E. Berg, M. Benjamin, et al. “Review : Transport Losses in Market Weight Pigs: I. A Review of Definitions, Incidence, and Economic … Continue reading

Pigs have been left to die after natural disasters.

In the USA, factory-farmed pigs have been left to die in floods following major hurricanes.

An estimated 5500 pigs drowned following Hurricane Florence in 2018.[62]"The Hidden Victims of Hurricane Florence, Compassion in World Farming, September 26, 2018

In 1999, flooding from Hurricane Floyd resulted in the drowning of more than 20,00 pigs (and more than 2 million chickens).[63]"The Hidden Victims of Hurricane Florence, Compassion in World Farming, September 26, 2018