Asouthern Manitoba hog farmer already charged under provincial legislation with animal cruelty has now been charged under the Criminal Code as well.
Martin Grenier is charged with six Criminal Code of Canada offences related to the treatment of over 2,000 pigs in a barn near Notre Dame de Lourdes last spring.
According to authorities, the pigs were left abandoned and starving. About 400 animals were either dead or had to be euthanized on site. The remaining ones were seized and transported to another location where they were cared for.
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Grenier and his wife Dolores were subsequently charged with 23 counts under the provincial Animal Care Act. The charges include: failing to provide food, water and proper shelter; failure to maintain the facility, allowing the animals to become injured; failure to comply with the hog industry code of practice.
Grenier now faces additional charges under Section 445.1(1) (a) of the Criminal Code, which says a person commits an offence who “wilfully causes or, being the owner, wilfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or bird.”
RCMP laid the charges Dec. 9. Grenier is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Winnipeg Jan. 20.
Grenier and his wife were scheduled to appear in court Dec. 16 in relation to the Animal Care Act charges. Their appearance was put over until Jan. 20 to coincide with the federal charges.
