The Platte County, Wyo. Sheriff’s Office said today that it has asked the state’s livestock board to investigate a Wheatland pig farm accused of cruelty to animals.
The Humane Society of the United States on Tuesday released undercover video and photos taken by a Humane Society investigator that show pigs being hit, kicked, thrown and dragged at Wyoming Premium Farms. The animal-rights group said the pig farm’s owner is Denver-based Itoham America, a subsidiary of a Japanese company.
Platte County Sheriff Steve Keigley said the Humane Society filed a complaint with his office last week.
“We met with livestock investigators yesterday and reviewed the documents and videos they had given us,” Keigley said.
His office has asked Wyoming’s livestock board to take over as the lead investigative agency.
“We are in touch with them on a daily basis,” Keigley said, adding that his office has offered to assist in any way possible.
“Our plan at this time is that once the investigation is completed, submit the whole investigation to the county attorney and he will be the one to determine if they are going to press charges.”
Calls to Itoham were not returned. 9News reported that the company filed an article of dissolution with the Colorado secretary of state’s office April 6.
Pork processor Tyson Foods, which through a subsidiary has purchased aged sows from Wyoming Premium Farms for resale to other processors, said today that it has discontinued buying from the farm.
