Pig farmer reported to police for animal cruelty

A 22-year-old Danish pig farmer, Louise Korsgaard Frederiksen, has been reported to police for alleged animal cruelty following undercover footage from her Viborg-area farm, according to national broadcaster DR.

The complaint was filed by animal welfare group Dyrenes Beskyttelse after receiving a 22-minute video showing pigs with untreated prolapsed rectums, severe lameness, and long-term untreated painful conditions.

“There are many examples of pigs that have not been properly cared for, with long-standing painful conditions,” said Yvonne Johansen, head of animal welfare at Dyrenes Beskyttelse. “We see severe injuries that have not been treated properly or in a timely manner. This constitutes serious and indefensible mistreatment and a violation of our animal welfare laws.”

The video, obtained by activist group “Morten Korch Familien,” includes date stamps, location markers, and visible ear tags that Dyrenes Beskyttelse verified to confirm the farm’s identity.

Frederiksen acknowledged the images in a text message to DR: “I am deeply affected by the pictures taken in my barn. We are clarifying what happened and ensuring it does not happen again. The conditions shown are unacceptable and absolutely not something I can stand by or recognize.”

Midt- og Vestjyllands Police confirmed to DR they have received two reports: one from Dyrenes Beskyttelse and another from animal rights activist Stefan Leander, who runs the website “Dyrenes Detektiv.”

Johansen called for broader political action, stating that systemic violations of animal welfare laws occur daily in conventional pig farming, making it difficult even for prominent farmers to maintain proper standards.