3,800 Hogs Die After Air Controls Are Tampered With

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By KSFY Staff

Story Created: Nov 16, 2009 at 10:44 PM CST

Story Updated: Nov 16, 2009 at 10:44 PM CST

Nearly 4,000 hogs suffocated in a building at a hog confinement operation in Sioux County, Iowa.

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Authorities believe it's the work of vandals.

How the loss is affecting the farmer, and where he goes from here.

"Whoever was doing what they're doing knew what they were doing. It's as intentional as can be."

Todd Hasche lost nearly 4,000 hogs on his farm in rural Rock Rapids.

Those pigs are valued at more than 200,000 dollars.

It's not a financial hit Hasche will take on his own, the hogs were sold to farmers throughout the area.

Hasche says, "Pigs will suffocate in minutes. That's why we put every safeguard we can to not allow that to happen."

Like a back up generator - that Hasche says was shut off, and an intricate alarm system that calls Hasche when there's a problem - it too was disconnected.

But Hasche says, "Oh we'll survive. It's one of them deals you try not to think about it too much and keep goin."

The Sioux County Sheriff's Office is still investigating.

No arrests have been made.

Next article Sioux Falls Woman Says Three Men Raped Her

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Wednesday, Nov 18 at 3:37 PM disgusted wrote ...

This is equal to someone going out and setting fires in corn fields that have not been harvested. Major loss of revenue to the whole area.

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 7:51 PM phoebesdad wrote ...

I think the best definition of the crime would be ecomonic sabotage. Despite the myth of rural harmony, there is a lot of jealousy out there.

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 6:13 PM woody wrote ...

very educated, how does something happen later in a hurry! ha ha ha!!!

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 2:21 PM Anonomous wrote ...

People don't see how this effects others in the area, these hogs were contracted through other barns and this loss could cause other barns to go bankrupt so maybe not right away but later it could effect the entire area in a hurry.

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 1:29 PM Corey wrote ...

Was this story written by a 3rd grader? If so, good job little one!! (Sorry to be critical, but this is supposed to be professional here...)

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 10:22 AM wildflower wrote ...

I can see that I was not clear on what I was trying to say. Vandalism IS a crime, yes. Vandalism usually occurs on a smaller scale. But vandalism is too mild a word for what happened. The incident should be classified as "terrorism". It caused the ruin of a family and their livelihood, and must be inspiring a great deal of fear among others in the livestock occupations.

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 10:00 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Vandalism is a CRIME not a prank

Tuesday, Nov 17 at 9:05 AM wildflower wrote ...

Vandalism is a prank. I would consider this to be terrorism if it will ultimately affect the economics of the entire area.

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