Animal activists descend on Midland Bacon piggery demanding release of Olivia, pig that was allegedly assaulted

Animal activists have vowed they will not give up until Olivia, the sow who was allegedly raped by a piggery worker, is safely secured.

Protesters who descended on a piggery to rescue a sow that was allegedly raped have vowed to secure her safety, despite being left in the dark about her current location.

More than 30 animal activists converged on a northern Victoria piggery, Midland Bacon, in Carag Carag, where just last month hidden cameras installed by Farm Transparency Project captured horrific footage of a piggery worker allegedly raping a sow now named Olivia.

Director Steve Crawford showed up to the site and demanded the protesters take the signs down, before telling protesters that Olivia had been moved to a “beautiful” new site, much to the chagrin of the protesters.

Mr Crawford promised protesters that he would send photos to the group of Olivia’s new home.

Strategy and campaign director at Farm Transparency Project, Harley McDonald-Eckersall, said that it was about “50-50” whether they believe Olivia has been moved to another piggery.

Ms McDonald-Eckersall said they did not want to “escalate” the situation, opting to leave the piggery rather than enter the property and risk arrest.

Protesters speak with Steve Crawford, who showed up to the protest and told the activists that Olivia had been moved to a “beautiful site’. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

A sign protesters made following the allegedly shocking sexual assault of Olivia in February. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

Ms McDonald-Eckersall said they would rather “wait” until they had more information on whether she had been moved or not, before vowing to “stay active” until Olivia had been safely secured.

The group vowed to return if they did not receive any more information on Olivia’s whereabouts by the end of the week.

Earlier, the group had tried to get the attention of the piggery by flying a drone into the property, while also standing at the edge of the visitors’ entrance gate holding up banners.

Protesters attempt to gain the attention of the piggery, to no avail. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

Police also attended the protest before driving into the property.

Police told the group they are more than welcome to remain outside the property as long as no “criminal offences” are committed.

Police also said they could neither confirm or deny Mr Crawford’s claims that Olivia had been moved.

Protesters have gathered outside Midland Bacon piggery demanding the release of allegedly raped sow Olivia. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

Rick O'Reilly is the manager of the Midland Bacon piggery where activists have descended, demanding the release of a pig that was allegedly sexually assaulted by his son Bradley. Picture: Facebook

The piggery worker, Bradley O’Reilly, was later confirmed to be the son of the manager and operator of the pig farm, Rick O’Reilly.

A global petition to free the sow, who activists have named Olivia, has been signed by more than 10,000 people.

The petition has been sent to the state government, with Minister Ros Spence told along with Premier Jacinta Allan.

The activists have arrived at the farm with a livestock trailer and are demanding that she be released into the care of an animal sanctuary.

Rick O’Reilly allegedly ‘thumped’ a weak piglet, captured on camera at the Carag Carag piggery he manages.

Shocking footage of the alleged sexual assault was played on the ABC’s 7.30 report, before the Herald Sun identified that Rick O’Reilly was the accused man’s father, a well-liked community man and a life member of the Stanhope Football Netball Club.

Prominent animal rights campaigner Sophie Wilcher started the petition to free Olivia, alongside dietitian Meghan Quinlan.

Ms Wilcher said that she has tried everything else to secure Olivia’s release before attending the protest.

Ms McDonald-Eckersall, has said that she’s been deeply moved by how Olivia’s story has touched so many people.

Protesters converged on the Midland Bacon piggery, Goulburn Valley on Wednesday morning. Picture: Oscar Jaeger

“Pigs are intelligent, sentient animals who have the capacity for pain, fear and suffering.

“What Olivia must have experienced while being abused in this way while unable to escape is horrific to imagine.

“It is our hope that the piggery decides to do what is right and allow Olivia to live out the rest of her life on an animal sanctuary, free from abuse and exploitation.”

Bradley O’Reilly will face the Echuca Magistrates’ Court on June 11 on bestiality charges.

The protesters left the piggery at around 1.30pm en route to Benalla.