Case study – Stealing or Rescuing
In March of 2017, animal activists entered into a major hog raising facility in southern Utah, observed the conditions of the animals, and removed two piglets that they considered at high risk of death due to malnutrition, disease, and neglect. They took the piglets (that they named “Lily” and “Lizzie”) to an animal sanctuary to receive care.
The owner of the hog facility, Smithfield Foods, saw this as an act of theft, since the piglets were its property, and the activists did not have permission to take them.
The activists saw it as an act of rescue, similar to breaking a car window to rescue a dog trapped in a car on a hot day.
In October of 2022, two of the activists stood trial for their actions. After deliberation, the jury found the defendants not guilty. Animal advocates saw this as a vindication of the “right to rescue.”
Law professor Justin Marceau stated, “Prosecutors would have you believe this case is about burglary, but in reality, it’s a case about whether people can rescue animals in dire conditions that are now commonplace in our food system … I can’t think of a more significant animal law case in recent history” (Jacobs, 2022). On the contrary side, Smithfield’s vice president replied, “This verdict is verydisappointing as it may encourage anyone opposed to raising animals for food to vandalize farms” (Bolotnikova, 2022).
ETHICAL QUESTION:
Is it moral to trespass onto private property in order to rescue animals at risk of dying?
