Two animal rights activists have been acquitted in the Smithfield Piglet case after jurors believed the pair did not steal the two piglets but 'saved' them from being sent to the slaughterhouse at one of the largest pork producers in the country.

Wayne Hsiung, co-founder of the animal rights network Direct Action Everywhere and Paul Darwin Picklesimer conducted a three-month undercover operation and exposed the horrifying conditions at Smithfield's Circle Four Farms located in Milford, Utah.

The two baby pigs they rescued, were nursed back to health and given names - Lily and Lizzy - but all the others were left behind at the pork production facility that raises over a million pigs for slaughter every year.

The pair were at one point facing up to 11 years in prison on one of the counts that was later dismissed. 

Their trial ended on October 8. After eight hours of jury deliberation, an 8-panel jury found they were not guilty. 

'It's an incredible win that I am still reeling from,' said Hsuing.

He added, 'Not just for transparency or accountability at Smithfield Farms, but the idea that animals are living things and not things to just be thrown away into a garbage can.'