A Canadian activist who faced time behind bars for giving water to pigs has been found not guilty.
An Ontario judge dismissed mischief charges against Anita Krajnc, ending a legal battle that captured the global attention of animal rights activists.
Judge David Harris said he was not convinced that Krajnc obstructed the use of property when she gave water to pigs headed to slaughter.
Krajnc said it confirms "compassion is not a crime".
Mischief to property is a criminal offence in Canada related to the wilful destruction or damage of property.
Justice Harris wrote in his decision that he is satisfied that Ms Krajnc "did not obstruct, interrupt or interfere with the lawful use, enjoyment or operation of any property" when in July 2015, she gave water to a few animals being carried in a tractor trailer filled with 190 pigs going to a slaughterhouse outside Toronto.
Krajnc, who co-founded an organisation called Toronto Pig Save in 2011, regularly gathered with other activists on a traffic island at an intersection near a large slaughterhouse to pet the animals and give them water.
But this time, the truck driver confronted Ms Krajnc and police were called. A video of the tense encounter was posted online by the activists.
During her trial, supporters crammed into the courtroom, many sitting on the floor. Members of the media sat in the prisoner's box.
Despite her win on Thursday, Ms Krajnc told the BBC she has "mixed feelings" about the decision.
"We were hoping for recognition in the legal system that pigs and other animals are simply not property - that they are sentient beings, that they have basic rights," she said.