In the spring of 2015, LCA conducted a four-month investigation into a Minnesota pig farm operated by Walmart supplier, Christensen Farms. The facility is a “breed-to-wean” factory farm where 2,500 mother pigs, producing over 1,300 piglets each week, are confined to small metal crates for their entire lives. The investigation uncovered multiple incidents of systematic neglect and cruelty.

 Watch LCA's undercover footage of Christensen Farms above - WARNING! Graphic Footage

Examples of extreme abuse include:

• Pigs with large vaginal and anal prolapses and other severe injuries being forced to walk or drag themselves before being shot.

• Workers slapping, kicking and stabbing downed sows with pens.

• Workers dragging pigs by their snouts and ears.

• Workers failing to promptly euthanize piglets in critical condition.

• Company protocols that result in piglets being left in carbon dioxide inhalation chambers overnight and not being confirmed dead until the next morning.

• Pigs with debilitating illness and injuries left to suffer for prolonged periods, sometimes as long as ten weeks. Many of these grossly neglected sows became too weak to access feed and water, quickly becoming emaciated and later found dead. 

Piglet thrown in garbage	Dying pig in sick pen	Dying pigs in pen
Injured pig in hallway	Lone piglet	Pig being killed
Piglet attempted escape	Piglet attempted escape	Pig pressure sore

Expert Statement:

“As much abuse as is depicted bespeaks very poor, unconcerned management. The managers are as guilty as the workers if they allow the animals to suffer as long as they do. Any legal action brought against the facility should also include the supervisory personnel who allow this sort of behavior to proceed uncorrected. …I urge that this facility be prosecuted for animal cruelty to the fullest extent permitted by law,” —Bernard E. Rollin, University Distinguished Professor, Professor of Animal Sciences and Professor of Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University.

Five employees at Christensen Farms were fired as a result of LCA’s investigation.

LCA investigators captured 360-degree video of the cramped, filthy facilities in which the pigs at Christensen Farms are forced to live.

 Hold down and move your cursor to see 360-degrees in the video above

As disturbing as the findings at Christensen Farms may be, they are hardly unique; virtually all farmed animals are raised in equally horrific conditions. The best way to stop the abuse is to adopt a cruelty free, plant-based diet.

 Watch the video above to see the fate of Sow #934303 at Christensen Farms

Go to www.FactoryFarms360.org to see LCA's investigation at Crimson Lane Pig Farm in Canada.