Members of an animal rights group held a brief demonstration outside Walmart's Thruway Plaza store in Cheektowaga this morning.
The activists are calling on the retailer to stop confining pigs to tiny crates where they are unable to move. The group is calling on the company to require its pork suppliers to phase out the practice.
Mercy For Animals National Campaign Coordinator Phil Letten says at two separate Walmart pork suppliers, the group documented pregnant pigs confined to "filthy, metal gestation crates" and pigs with open wounds and pressure sores.
Letten says Walmart is dragging its feet on the issue.
"Every major food provider in the country has committed to doing away with gestation crates except for Walmart and it's unacceptable," Letten said
In a written statement, a Walmart spokesperson said "we hold our suppliers to the highest standard and do not tolerate animal mistreatment."