"Empty cages" performance against painless castration of piglets

In Vilnius, Vincas Kudirkos Square, a campaign "Piglets' Scream" was organised to draw the attention of the public and the authorities to the current procedure in Lithuania, according to which piglets up to 7 days of age are castrated without painkillers. 

According to Gabriele Vaitkeviciute, the head of the non-governmental animal protection organisation "Tušti cages", who organised the campaign, 78% of the country's population believes that this treatment of piglets should be banned. 

„The castration of piglets without anaesthesia is so cruel that we can't show it, so we have to use artistic means to raise the issue and we say it has to be stopped– it is extremely cruel, it is inexplicable, because the only animal in Lithuania that can be castrated without pain killers is a piglet up to 7 days of age“, – during the campaign spoke „Empty Cages“ manager G. Vaitkevičiūtė.

„This is illogical, it is very cruel and it can be stopped with one signature by the State Food and Veterinary Service (SVVT). This is what we are inviting you to do with this performance," she added.

According to the head of the organisation, young piglets are castrated for several reasons.

„Pigs are castrated both for behaviour, to make them less aggressive, and for smell, to avoid the smell of boar, but again – there can be reasons for castration, it's just that all animals are castrated with painkillers“, – said the head of „Empty Cages“.

She said this method of castration is much cheaper and more convenient for farmers.

„It is easier for farmers. It's just that they don't have to pay a vet, anyone can come in, cut the piglet open – no special training is needed. It's just cheaper and more convenient for them," said the leader of the organisation.

According to Ms Vaitkeviciute, currently the castration of piglets under 7 days of age without painkillers is prohibited in Scandinavian countries, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.