OTTAWA -- An animal rights group is urging the federal government to swiftly update transportation regulations after allegations of abuse at a hog facility in Red Deer.
Mercy for Animals Canada released a video taken at the Western Hog Exchange facility that shows hogs being kicked and struck with what appears to be a club.
The organization says the video was taken undercover and it also shows some of the animals limping and others crammed into a corral.
Alberta's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is looking into the allegations and the facility has also launched an independent investigation with third-party experts in animal care and transportation.
But Mercy for Animals says only the federal government can ensure the improved treatment for farm animals in the future by updating existing regulations.
They want to see stricter limits on transportation times, better conditions for animals in transit and clearer definitions on what it means for an animal to be not fit for transport.
The federal government said earlier this year that new regulations were under review.
