Fair enough the Judge got it right. The woman was charged with Mischief for giving water to pigs on a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. The Judge found her not guilty. He stated that she had not interfered with anyone's property. Even the Director of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture admitted that the woman's behaviour was well-intentioned although he felt that "it was a matter of protecting food safety."
Today's Waterloo Region Record carried this article titled "Woman who gave water to pigs found not guilty". I would certainly hope so. There was absolutely zero evidence that either she had bad intentions or that the water was dirty or contaminated. Yes she may have been making a point that livestock could and should be treated better at all stages within the food cycle but that is hardly to be discouraged. My question is why did any Crown Attorney ever feel that charges were appropriate? If she had been attempting to adulterate a soon to be foodstuff for human consumption then that would likely be a matter of mischief. As there was no attempt or even serious suggestion that that was her intent, then why bring charges at all? Was this simply a tad of legal harassment going on in order to satisfy the food industry in this province? Even the Judge suggested that these charges actually backfired and that the pork industry have probably taken a black eye over this entire episode.
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