On Monday, a group of concerned citizens gathered outside Columbus Meat Market in Vancouver, a bustling store that sells pork from Johnston’s Meat slaughterhouse in Chilliwack, British Columbia. This protest comes on the heels of alarming hidden-camera footage recently released by Animal Justice, revealing appalling and illegal animal cruelty inside Johnston’s Meats slaughterhouse.
The footage reveals the brutal final moments of pigs’ lives, with pigs visibly terrified as they realize they are about to be killed. Many are killed in front of other pigs, creating a chaotic and distressing environment. Despite laws requiring pigs to be stunned unconscious before they are sliced open and bled out, the footage reveals how often these stunnings fail. As a result, pigs are seen alert, fighting for their lives, and fully conscious while their throats are slit. In some cases, pigs remain conscious even after being hung up to bleed out and are stunned a second time.
Animal Justice has filed a legal complaint alleging illegal animal abuse, and provincial authorities and the BC SPCA are investigating.
During the protest, advocates held signs aimed at vehicle and foot traffic, including a large banner calling out the false claims that Johnston’s cares for its animals. Televisions played the disturbing footage released by Animal Justice, while speakers played the heart-wrenching screams of the pigs. Protesters peacefully engaged with the public, answering questions about the protest and the footage. Some passersby shielded their eyes as they entered and exited the store to purchase meat products.
Shockingly, a Johnston’s meat truck showed up at the store during the protest, with staff unloading full carcasses of baby pigs.
The truth about cruelty at slaughter is often masked by meat industry marketing. Columbus Meat Market has festive holiday decorations up, and Johnston’s explicitly promotes that their pork comes from “happy animals”. The store was busy throughout the protest, with many shoppers likely preparing for a joyous holiday feast. Yet just meters outside the shop, the true cruelty and suffering of pig meat was on full display.
The footage from Johnston’s is a stark reminder of the suffering behind common meat products. As the holiday season approaches, it’s important for consumers to look past marketing claims and consider the grim reality faced by animals in the meat industry. We should all be appalled that a company can promote happy pigs and excellence in animal care, while illegally abusing its animals.
This holiday season, please leave animals and their products off of your plate.
