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Farmers Clip Piglets’ Teeth Without Anaesthetic − Shocking Video

British farmers rely on cruel practices to control the violence of piglets

Dec 17, 2011 08:57 GMT  ·  By
A recent report indicates that 80% of the pigs raised in British farms are tail-docked
   A recent report indicates that 80% of the pigs raised in British farms are tail-docked

Researchers from the campaigning organization Viva reveal that Somerset farmers still rely on a barbaric practice. It seem that piglets raised on their farms have their teeth clipped off with petal pliers and the end of their cute small tails cut with scissors without anesthetic.

Apparently, this is a mere measure of precaution meant to control the damages generated by the pigs' aggressiveness. To justify their ways, farmers say that pigs often bite and their strong teeth can cause serious injuries, Daily Mail informs.

[Admark=1]On the other hand, Viva indicates that a violent conduct is somehow explainable. These animals live in horrifying conditions, since they are put behind bars and have to fight with other pigs for food.

It has been already proven that mutilation has a devastating impact on the conduct of such vulnerable creatures, according to a study issued earlier this year, by the Farmed Animal Welfare Council (FAWC).

“Most of the nine million piglets born in the UK each year experience some form of mutilation. The industry estimates that at least 80 per cent of UK piglets are tail-docked,” highlighted the report.

Allegedly, not only Somerset hides horrible cases of animal mutilation, since this method is quite popular all across the UK, as a way of “protecting” pigs from the cruelty manifested by their own kind.

This opinion is shared even by the General manager at the National Pig Association, Zoe Davies, who has recently explained that both teeth clipping and tail docking are still “necessary” to control violent piglets.

Although the report revealed the appalling effects of animal cruelty on pig populations, Somerset farmers have decided to neglect the facts and carry on with their operations.

As a result, Viva organization is keen on convincing the British authorities that a ban is necessary to put an end to this kind of animal torture. Their video presenting piglets suffering in the presence of careless workers is truly painful to watch and could represent a key element in favor of the goal announced by the organization.