Day 020 - 28 Jul 94 - Page 62


     
     1        A.  It would have to be, yes.
 
     2   Q.   When you said the pigs got on their haunches or slid down
              on their haunches?
     3        A.  Some of them did.
 
     4   Q.   Did they sit down and slide down?
              A.  Some were on all fours.  They would slide down on all
     5        fours; they might be slightly bent in the leg, but some
              were on their bottoms as they slid down, yes.
     6
         Q.   It was too steep for them to walk in a normal way?
     7        A.  Yes.
 
     8   Q.   The ones that slid down on their haunches, do you think
              that was as a result of -- I mean, do you think they were
     9        wanting to slide down the ramp?
 
    10   MR. JUSTICE BELL:  It is a question I suppose of the way they
              felt most secure; some managed it sliding on all fours,
    11        some had to put their bottoms down on the ramp?
              A.  Correct, for balance.
    12
         Q.   Is it a smooth ramp or one with struts across?
    13        A.  It would have cleats.  It would be a pressed metal
              ramp, so there would be cleats in it, but there would not
    14        be a separate piece of wooden batten I think, but it is a
              long time since I saw it.  That is a typical situation,
    15        let me add, not necessarily the situation I observed
              because it was a long time ago.
    16
         MS. STEEL:   Right, but whether or not they prefer to go on
    17        their haunches or on their legs, do pigs normally like to
              walk or do they like to?
    18        A.  They like to walk, they like to run.  I do not know of
              any preference behaviour in terms of sliding.  I would be
    19        speculating to say they enjoy or they do not enjoy it.
              Your guess is as good as mine on that.
    20
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  I assume, for what it at the end of the day
    21        it matters, it is preferable that they do not have to
              slide down, hence the use of hydraulic levels in some
    22        transporters?
              A.  Yes.  One of the big advantages of the hydraulic lifts
    23        is that it reduces the need for coercion on the part of
              the person who is driving the animals.  You do not have to
    24        bully the pig so much to get out.
 
    25   Q.   They come out much more willing?
              A.  Yes.  In the case of this situation, as I explained, 
    26        they were coming off a lorry in an orderly manner, so the 
              amount of coercion I thought was low.  For example, the 
    27        stockman put his hand on the back of the pig and pressed
              on the back.  That gets them to move instead of giving
    28        them a slap or a goad, as might be used in other
              situations.
    29
         MS. STEEL:   They were being encouraged to leave?
    30        A.  Yes.  They were encouraged to leave the vehicle; you
              would have to get them to move.

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