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Humane Society Releasing Pig at Legislature Today

October 2, 2010 6:55 AM | News


By David Klassen

A surrogate sow carrying between 80-200 cloned embryos is seen at a pig farm in Shenzhen August 23, 2010. China's population is projected to grow to 1.44 billion by 2030 from 1.33 billion in 2009, according to the World Bank, and Beijing is hunting for cutting-edge technology to feed its people and provide better quality food. Picture taken August 23, 2010. To match feature CHINA FOOD/SCIENCE/ REUTERS/Bobby Yip (CHINA - Tags: BUSINESS HEALTH SCI TECH ANIMALS)

In a move to ask the provincial government to release all sows from their stalls today, Penelope the pig will be set free on the steps of the Manitoba Legislature.

The Winnipeg Humane Society will be setting the pig free in celebration of World Farm Animals Day at noon.

The WHS says Penelope has become a local celebrity and educational icon for the animal shelter, having taught thousands of Manitobans about the harsh realities of industrial-style farming  as part of the society’s Quit Stalling Campaign to end the use of sow stalls.

Four pink “piggies” will set Penelope free from her cage, in what will most definitely be an interesting photo op.

The Humane Society says sow stalls should be phased out in Manitoba, as they are already banned in the United Kingdom, and will be banned in the EU by 2013.

The society suggests the government offer incentives to breeders who voluntarily choose to replace cages with free-run systems.


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