Humane Society Evicted from Hanover Fair Over Pig Display

UPDATE: The Winnipeg Humane Society was urgently asked to leave the Hanover Ag Fair in Grunthal, Manitoba, on Saturday after just over three hours due to a controversial animal welfare display featuring a papier mâché pig and a human-sized cage. This decision has sparked outrage and disappointment among animal welfare advocates.

The display aimed to raise awareness of gestation crates, also known as “sow stalls,” which are metal enclosures that measure approximately 2 meters long and 0.5 meters wide. Krista Boryskavich, an animal advocacy lawyer with the Winnipeg Humane Society, emphasized that these crates provide minimal space for pigs, inhibiting their ability to move. “Pigs are very intelligent creatures, so this is a mental welfare issue, as well as a physical welfare issue,” she stated.

The humane society’s presentation was designed to spark critical conversations about animal welfare. Boryskavich expressed confusion over the fair’s response, stating, “We were promoting dialogue on some very important animal welfare issues, and we’re a little unsure as to why that was not acceptable.” The Hanover Ag Society clarified they had granted vendor space under the assumption that the focus would be on pet adoption programs, which was not mentioned in the humane society’s application.

The display, featuring Charlotte the papier mâché pig, has been a staple at various events across Manitoba for decades. Boryskavich noted that this is the first instance of the organization being asked to leave an event, despite having successfully showcased Charlotte at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival earlier this summer.

The controversy comes at a time when approximately 50% of Manitoba’s pork producers still utilize gestation crates, despite a commitment from the National Farmed Animal Care Council to phase them out by July 1, 2024, a deadline now pushed to 2029. Boryskavich added, “We’ve had this crate in existence for decades now, and the issue has not disappeared; these crates have not gone away.”

The humane society sought to engage directly with producers at the fair, aiming to foster meaningful discussions on improving animal welfare. “This is not an urban-rural divide on values or issues. I think that compassion and empathy exist no matter whether you live in Winnipeg or whether you live in rural Manitoba,” she asserted.

As the fallout continues, the humane society is left to ponder its next steps while the Hanover Agricultural Fair remains tight-lipped, having not responded to inquiries from CBC News before publication. The situation highlights the ongoing tension between animal rights advocacy and agricultural practices in Canada, and it raises critical questions about the future of animal welfare discussions at public events.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.