The SPCA says staff members at a Vancouver Island branch have endured withering public criticism after arranging the adoption of a potbellied pig that was later butchered by its new owner.
Spokeswoman Lorie Chortyk says workers at the Cowichan branch in Duncan were already upset about the death of the pig, named Molly, but are now being ``inundated with nastiness'' by callers and visitors.
Media outlets are reporting that the man who adopted Molly was pleading for an end to death threats in a Facebook post that has since been deleted.
The man could not be reached for comment, but in the post he reportedly apologizes, saying he did not adopt Molly with the intention of killing her, but she was aggressive towards other animals in the home.
Chortyk says the man signed an agreement specifically promising not to slaughter the pig and knew it could be returned to the SPCA, but his actions are legal because he owned Molly and she died humanely.
She says the society is reassessing its adoption contracts.