While wanting to prevent pigs, chickens or other animals from suffering is a noble cause, when a person’s actions to get that point across break the law and become a drain on legal system resources, perhaps things have been taken too far.
And being a nuisance to law enforcement officers and the court system appears to be just what Canadian animal rights activist and Toronto Pig Save co-founder Anita Krajnc has done.
Krajnc recently went on trial for criminal mischief charges for allegedly giving water to pigs in a truck that were headed to slaughter. She was asked by the driver to stop, but she did not.
Some may wonder what harm that did. According to a Toronto Sun opinion piece written by Keith Warriner, University of Guelph food science professor, Krajnc posed a threat to food safety. Canada, as well as other countries, has strict food safety regulations that are designed to prevent any cross contamination of ingredients, while ensuring no external agents come in contact with the production line. Doing something as simple as giving pigs headed to slaughter water violates those food safety regulations.
The trial
In reading about Krajnc’s time in court, I was amazed. Rather than respect the taxpayer-supported court system and acknowledge that she overstepped her boundaries, she used the trial as a way to promote her agenda that it is wrong to eat pig meat and that giving bacon to a child is a form of child abuse.
She reportedly said other things that just made her, to me at least, look foolish.
I get that Krajnc thought she meant well in giving the pigs water. But I meant well that day I got pulled over for speeding when I was late for church. However, I didn’t make a fuss about it and I didn’t make a buffoon of myself in an unnecessary court trial. I had the humility to admit that even though I was well-intentioned, I did break the law. I owned up to my mistake and paid my fine.
Krajnc's trial has been continued until November 1, according to the Burlington Post.
Another run-in with the law
Krajnc has not kept a low profile like you would think someone would while they could face a criminal conviction.
When a truck hauling pigs to slaughter was involved in an accident on October 5, Krajnc and other activists were right there to deliver their anti-meat message. She was arrested on charges of obstruction. Reportedly, on more than one occasion, she walked past the police tape at the scene and did not follow police directions to stop, according to CBC.
Krajnc, at her trial, reportedly said she gave the pigs water as a way of following the Golden Rule, which is to do unto others as you would want them to do to you. Yet, while at the crash scene, she made the jobs of police more difficult. Somehow I doubt that is how those officers wanted to be treated.
My hope is that those responsible for delivering the verdict and, if needed, sentences for Krajnc’s alleged antics realize that as well-intentioned as she may seem, such tomfoolery shouldn’t be tolerated. And even if she does not get convicted of any crimes, I hope she realizes the disrespect she appears to have shown for the legal system is unacceptable.
