By David Jackson
A video of two pig farm workers from Húercal-Overa killing 72 piglets by jumping on them has made the town notorious across the world after it went viral.
Two workers of firm Pienso Garla, 19 and 22 years of age, filmed themselves squashing the piglets to death and then sent the video to friends via the Whatsapp mobile phone application. They were supposed to be herding them to a new pen when one of the men tried to body surf on their backs, throwing himself no fewer than three times on top of the helpless animals.
In all, 19 animals died at once and the others had to be put down later due to their injuries.
The incident happened last January 7, and it was the owners of the farm who denounced the workers to the Guardia Civil when they saw the video. They also fired both the workers.
Renowned local ecologist Antonio Fernández told Costa Almería News he was shocked but not surprised.
He said: “Whilst I applaud the company for bringing the case to the attention of the authorities, maybe local pig farms should carry out some self criticism in the way they treat their livestock, and the training they give their staff.”
