A woman has been found not guilty of mischief after giving water to pigs outside a slaughterhouse in Canada two years ago.

Anita Krajnc, 49, was charged after pouring water through the openings of a metal trailer that was transporting the animals to their slaughter in June 2015.

The year-long case drew global attention for pitting property rights against animal welfare.

Krajnc, an animal activist who founded Toronto Pig Save - a group that "bears witness of animal suffering" - initially faced 10 years in prison if convicted, had continued to pour water through the gaps even after the driver ordered her to stop.

The court in Ontario was told the pigs were private property of the farmer, who could have given the animals something other than water.

Krajnc argued she had done nothing wrong in helping the animals who she believed were suffering on a hot day.

Police initially alleged she had given them "unknown liquid".

After a year-long trial, Justice David Harris ruled that as the pigs were slaughtered anyway, Krajnc had not obstructed their "lawful use".

He said: "By law in Canada, pigs are not persons. They are property.

"Did Ms Krajnc obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of the property? My simple answer to this question is: no. She did not.

"Protesters had given water to pigs before. The driver was aware of this. The slaughterhouse was aware of this.

"Despite this, the slaughterhouse had never refused to accept a load of pigs for that reason."