Pigs killed with hammer and buried in NW Iowa

LE MARS, Iowa (AP) - Authorities say 13 pigs that were stolen from hog confinements in northwest Iowa were beaten to death with a hammer and buried near a creek in rural Plymouth County.

The sheriff's office says three hog confinements were broken into last Thursday or Friday. The pigs were stolen from two of them, while tools were taken from the other one.

Four people were arrested after the break-ins, and two of them are accused of killing the pigs.

Jason Peters, of Brunsville, and Ryan Utesch, of Le Mars, are each charged with livestock abuse. The men, along with Robert Trobaugh and Cassandra Hansen, both of Le Mars, face burglary and theft charges.

All four remain jailed on $20,000 bond each. The sheriff's office on Wednesday said each has requested a court-appointed attorney.

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Information from: KLEM-AM, http://www.klem1410.com

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.