Man charged in the death of more than 1,200 pigs

A 27-year-old Tavistock man is facing animal cruelty charges after more than 1,200 pigs were found dead in an abandoned Norfolk County barn earlier this year.

The man is charged with eight counts of animal cruelty after more than 1,500 dead and dying pigs were discovered in a manure-filled barn on Feb. 17. The OSPCA estimates 1,265 pigs were dead and an additional 250 pigs had to be euthanized on-site due to the “severe condition” in which they were found.

“There is no excuse for not providing the proper care your animals require,” Bonnie Bishop, OSPCA senior inspector, farm animal welfare, said in a press release. “Failure to do so can have serious legal consequences.”

Charges include one count of causing distress to an animal, one count of permitting an animal to be in distress, and six counts of failing to comply with prescribed standards of care.

The man, who reportedly now lives in Tavistock, appeared in Norfolk County court on Thursday.

Eric Schwindt, chair of Ontario Pork, said his stomach ‘curled’ when he heard of the incident. Ontario Pork sent out veterinarians and staff members to help deal with the mess left behind.

“As pig producers, we look after our animals every day, and it’s hard to believe that this happens.”

As for the magnitude of this case — more than 1,500 pigs affected — Schwindt said he hasn’t seen anything like this.

Neither the OSPCA nor Ontario Pork knows for sure how the barn was abandoned. Investigators say that the man was responsible for caring for the animals.