A farmworker has denied allegations that he repeatedly struck pigs with a hammer and failed to “humanely euthanise” them.
Andrew Munro has pled not guilty to a total of five charges over his conduct relating to pigs at Yonderton Farm in Ellon.
He is now set to stand trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court next summer.
Two charges allege that the 47-year-old caused a pig “unnecessary suffering” by repeatedly striking it with a hammer, failing to euthanise it humanely, on January 2 and 6 this year.
Denies hurting pigs with hammer
The January 2 allegation states Munro struck the animal with a hammer within a pen containing, and in view of, other pigs.
It’s also alleged that on December 12 2020 he failed to maintain a record of any medical treatment provided to a pig.
He also denies a further charge of failing to administer medical treatment or get veterinary attention for a pig with an infected uterus and a pig with a lesion on its genitals, both on December 14.
Fiscal depute Rebecca Thomson advised sheriff Margaret Hodge of Munro’s not guilty pleas to all charges which were submitted by letter.
Trial date set for 2022
Munro was not present when the case called against him at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, however, animal rights protestors from Vegan Outreach Scotland gathered outside the court building.
The case against Munro, whose address was given in court papers as Yonderton Farm, Ellon, although he is no longer thought to be staying at that address, is set to call again for a pre-trial hearing in May.
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