A semi trailer hauling pigs rolled on the Trans-Canada Highway west of Brandon on Tuesday afternoon, with witnesses estimating about 70 animals died at the scene.
Now, questions are being raised about the treatment of the surviving animals.
Rescue crews had to work to free more than 225 pigs trapped inside the tipped trailer.
"It's very upsetting and devastating," said Cindy Labossiere, who witnessed the rollover.
Along with the dozens of hogs killed, several others were injured, said witnesses.
"There were a whole lot of pigs all over the place and a lot of blood on them and stuff too," said Allea Wolfe, another witness.
The truck driver wasn't hurt.
Allea Wolfe raises pigs of her own nearby and was one of the first people on scene at the crash.
"There was one with a broken leg. There was a fellow trying to push it up and the vet had to have quite an argument with him before he'd stop pushing it," said Wolfe.
Ruth Pryzner, another local farmer who saw the crash site, confirmed things could have been handled better by those responding to the incident.
"There were some pigs that took a long time to die. They were making traumatized pigs step over dead pigs and then slapping them with paddles," said Pryzner.
Canadians for the Ethical Treatment of Food Animals said crashes involving livestock trailers are becoming too common.
They group said the number of incidents have been rising since 2005 and are becoming monthly occurrences.
Ruth Pryzner said steps should be taken.
"I definitely think there needs to be better training," she said.
The Ontario Truck Association is pushing for a mandatory training course for truck drivers hauling livestock, something which the Manitoba Truck Association said it's on board with.
The trucking company involved in the rollover on Tuesday couldn't be reached for comment on May 9.
