Robert John Parker and Cody James Swann on trial for animal cruelty charges

A lawyer for two former employees of one of Australia’s biggest pig processing plants has suggested in their trial the men may have been made ‘scapegoats’ by the company following the release of a covert video by animal activists. VIDEO

The trial of two former Swickers employees facing charges of animal cruelty has heard from their lawyer that the two men had been made ‘scapegoats’ after secret video was shot and leaked showing a sow being kicked, whipped and killed.

Robert John Parker, 67, and Cody James Swann, 31, pleaded not guilty to multiple animal cruelty charges in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on the second day of their trial on Monday.

The first day of the magistrate only trial was held on May 27, 2024.

Because of limited availability in the magistrates’ court, the trial can only take place on days booked in advance.

The case came to light when a video, taken by Animal Liberation Queensland, was alleged to reveal footage of the men repeatedly kicking, pushing, hitting and spraying a sow with a high-pressure hose, before it was killed, at the Swickers pig processing plant in Kingaroy.

The plant, owned by SunPork, is one of the largest pig processors in Australia.

Robert John Parker and Cody James Swann are on trial for alleged animal cruelty.

Dr Nancy Phillips, a Swickers veterinarian since 2019, testified in court on Monday, discussing the company’s animal welfare practices.

She said her role at Swickers, which processes 25,000 pigs per week, included ensuring compliance with Commonwealth policies and animal welfare standards.

Dr Phillips described how stressed pigs could collapse when coming off the truck, known as “down on ramp,” and may require an “emergency kill”.

She said this occurred during the incident in question.

“I believe it was presenting as a stressed pig, it was laying in the sun and it was exposed,” she said.

Robert John Parker at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

Under cross-examination, the defence pointed out the pig had been laying there for more than an hour before Dr Phillips inspected it, which she acknowledged as “disappointing”.

She said she was unaware how long the pig had been there when she received the call, which she said typically took no more than 10 minutes for her to arrive.

She said Swickers typically prioritised animal welfare, and footage of the incident that was made public was potentially embarrassing for the company.

“This isn’t the case of Swickers using them as scapegoats, is it?” the men’s lawyer asked Dr Phillips.

“There’s a whole lot of other people responsible for what went on that day?” he asked.

She said there were multiple people responsible for the pigs.

Cody James Swann at Kingaroy Magistrates Court.

The lawyer suggested they were pressured by their work environment to quickly move the pigs off the truck and ramp.

“Animal cruelty is animal cruelty regardless of pressure,” Dr Phillips replied.

When questioned about other workers’ treatment of pigs, Dr Phillips said some employees could get “slappy” with plastic paddles to keep pigs moving, though she said she didn’t believe it was a recurring issue with the defendants, whom she described as “good guys”.

The third day of the trial is scheduled for December 16, 2024.

Originally published as Robert John Parker and Cody James Swann on trial for animal cruelty charges