Animal rights activists arrested after chaining themselves to the fence of an Iowa pork production facility. | Pixabay
Animal rights activists arrested after chaining themselves to the fence of an Iowa pork production facility. | Pixabay
Three animal rights activists were charged with trespassing after chaining themselves to the fence of an Iowa pork production facility.
Officials also arrested Matt Johnson, an investigator with Direct Action Everywhere, and charged him with third-degree burglary, three counts of trespass and electronic eavesdropping.
The California-based animal rights group has set its sights on Iowa Select Farms, the largest pork producer in Iowa, according to Ag Journal. Johnson released secretly videotaped footage of Iowa Select employees euthanizing thousands of pigs.
Iowa Select said the action was necessary due to supply-chain disruptions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Iowa has lost nearly 30% of its capacity to process pigs.
Iowa's agricultural production facility trespass law is under review. In December, a federal court judge issued an injunction keeping the law from being enforced. The "ag-gag" law makes it a misdemeanor for activists and whistleblowers to take photos or video at meatpacking plants and livestock facilities.
The American Association of Swine Veterinarians said shutting down a confinement's ventilation is an acceptable form of euthanasia.
Johnson said he's started a hunger strike until Gov. Kim Reynolds requests an independent review of euthanasia standards.
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