An investigation is underway in Vermont after a concerning incident at the Vermont Packinghouse in North Springfield over the summer.

What happened: A federal inspector reported that on June 3, pigs were being unloaded from a trailer by a truck driver who kicked them in the head and neck.

• The pigs had traveled for eight hours from New York and appeared to suffer from heat stroke during the trip, according to the inspector.

Action taken: Following the incident report, the animal rights group PETA pushed for criminal proceedings. The Springfield Police are conducting an investigation into the matter.

Nick Paschkov, chief operating officer at Vermont Packinghouse, stated the driver was a third-party hauler and has been permanently banned from their facilities.

What's next: Vermont Packinghouse has implemented changes to improve animal handling, including earlier unloading times and mandatory staff training, as reported by VTDigger.

The investigation remains active as authorities determine whether further legal action will be pursued.