Three men Animal Equality exposed abusing pigs charged with animal cruelty offences

30/10/2018 Updated: 14/01/2021

The workers, named as Artis Grogprkevs, 31, from Goxhill; Gavin Hardy, 39, from South Killingholme, and Troy Wagstaff, 30, from Grimsby, will appear in court next month.

All three men have been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to pigs by inflicting blunt force trauma, physical violence and using a pitchfork inappropriately, shocking footage of which we exposed earlier in the year.

Investigators visited Fir Tree Farm several times between 1st and 27th April 2018 after an anonymous tip-off about animal cruelty from a brave whistleblower. They recorded serious and repeated violent abuse of pigs by members of staff, including repeated incidents of pigs being violently kicked in the face and head.

Workers were also filmed slamming gates on pigs’ heads, repeatedly jabbing pigs with pitchforks and laughing at the abuse.

Animal Equality passed all of our evidence to the RSPCA and welcome the news that they have now pressed charges. The three men in question are due to appear at Grimsby Magistrates Court on November 23. We expect them to face the full force of the law for this sickening and inexcusable abuse.

Consumers concerned by this can help stop cruelty taking place on factory farms by choosing from the many delicious alternatives to meat now available.

Latest News

Controversial super-sized salmon farm given green light by Grimsby Planning Committee, in a move that experts deem “reckless”

01/12/2023

On Wednesday 29th November, Councillors on the Planning Committee for North East Lincolnshire Council approved proposals for a controversial on-land intensive salmon farm in Cleethorpes, with four opposing and seven in favour. With plans to produce 5,000 tonnes of dead fish per year, there are no other fish farms of this scale in operation currently in the UK. Once constructed, the facility will be one of the largest in the world.

This is force-feeding: unpublished images from farms in France

24/11/2023

Each year more than 200,000 tonnes of foie gras made by force-feeding are imported into the UK. Its production is so cruel that it is illegal to make in the UK, yet we hypocritically continue to permit imports. Previously unpublished images taken inside several duck farms in France show the terrible animal suffering involved in foie gras production.

Animal Equality Prompts Parliamentary Debate On Sale and Importation of Foie Gras

03/11/2023

Following conversations with Animal Equality, Giles Watling MP successfully tabled a Westminster Debate, speaking up for millions of ducks and geese trapped in cruel foie gras farms.