I can’t help but wonder why Smithfield has pursued this case. I can understand that they are unhappy about people breaking onto a farm and stealing a couple of little piglets, but they are generating a lot of press for the animal rights people, which ultimately isn’t good for their product or brand. Have the execs at Smithfield thought this through, or they just reacting with a high and mighty attitude of “Punish them, Off with their heads!”

It would sure seem to me that just dropping charges would be a better route for Smithfield.