Nous avons reçu des images et vidéos du 46ème tiercé de cochons de Vabres l'Abbaye. Elles donnent à voir des cochons hurlants, exposés à la foule et au bruit et forcés à avancer le plus rapidement possible... Nous avons écrit au maire.

Mr Frédéric Artis
Mayor of Vabres l’Abbaye
Hôtel de Ville
12400 Vabres l’Abbaye

Vannes, 11 July 2021

Dear Mayor,

We have been warned by the organisation about the 46th pig trifecta on 3 July in Vabres l’Abbaye.

In our capacity as an association with the main purpose to protect and defend animals and the environment, we are concerned by the treatment in store for them.

The images and videos that we have been given show pigs squealing, exposed to crowds and noise, and forced to keep moving as quickly as possible. The animals are clearly disorientated and absolutely do not understand what awaits them.

Voluntarily submitting animals to such levels of stress for a purely recreational purpose is cruel and unethical. The pigs, who are nevertheless animals with extraordinary cognitive and sentient abilities, are reduced to numbers here.

Such an event has serious repercussions on the public and particularly children. The pigs are considered as objects of entertainment with no consideration for their needs or desires. This performance is regressive in educating future generations to respect their environment and the individuals with whom they share it.

No tradition can justify mistreating animals. This situation certainly tarnishes the image of Vabres l’Abbaye which also has an undeniable cultural significance. The celebration of the village festival must not happen to the detriment of respect for animals.

This is why we are asking you in future to renounce the organisation of pig trifectas in favour of more ethical events.

We thank you for your attention to this letter and ask that you accept our highest consideration, Mr Mayor.

Muriel Arnal
Founding President of One Voice

Translated from the French by Joely Justice