Anger at Taiwan’s ‘heaviest pig’
Animal rights groups have expressed outrage at the force-feeding and sacrifice of the world’s heaviest pig in Taiwan.The obese pig was sacrificed as part of Taiwan’s annual Pig of God contest.Animal activists filmed the pig’s slaughter, and the parading of its body, for its online video campaign.
The pig weighed more than 908kg (143 stone) after being force-fed sand and metal. It was unable to stand on its own feet and took 20 men to carry.
Force-feeding pigs until they weigh 908 kilograms with sand and metal to the point where it cannot walk? What kind of sick people would do such a cruel thing to pigs? Oh, right: it’s the Taiwanese of course.
After its slaughter on Saturday, in Hsin Chu, it was painted and paraded through the streets. The heaviest pig contest is part of the annual Pig of God festival, and hundreds of pigs are force-fed as farmers seek to increase their weight.
Leah Garces, WSPA International Programmes Director, called the contest “a grotesque freak show that ends in the public killing of animals”.
The competition is illegal in Taiwan, but activists say that authorities in Hsin Chu have been reluctant to enforce the ban, fearing a backlash from religious groups.
I can imagine this being cruel. After all they did make the pig eat just sand and metal until it was too painful for the poor animal to live. I am not surprised that this ritual in Taiwan is illegal, but I am surprised how the local police allow this to happen just because of some minor pressure groups. Show us how much rule of law is actually in Taiwan contrary to what we’re always told by the pro-Taiwan media.
