A Duncan man who admits he killed and ate a rescued pot-bellied pig named "Molly" he adopted from the SPCA, is apologizing on Facebook for his actions, and appealing for people to stop sending him death threats. He has since taken the post down.
Austin Manson Forget maintains he did not intend to kill "Molly"-- but says he was forced to when she became aggressive with the family dog.
SPCA spokesperson Lori Chortyk says Forget assured the organization verbally and by contract that he intended to keep the animal as a pet, not food.
But she says charges are not being laid because under current laws the legal owner of an animal has the right to humanely end that animal's life. And an investigator was satisfied the death was humane.
The story is getting a lot of attention - and many CFAX listeners have definite opinions on the case:
Man: " Really what should have been done if he was unhappy with the pig, return it to the SPCA."
Woman: "I think he's a real rotter."
Man: " Punishment should be several things here. Costs of all the money and time the SPCA has put into (the pig), and then he owes the SPCA 100 hours of labour."
Chortyk says the SPCA sought legal advice and were advised a lawsuit would be expensive, and the best outcome would be compensation for one pig.
Meantime staff at the Duncan area SPCA have reported they've been targets of nasty comments over the case even though they are heartbroken over Molly's demise and would have taken her back.