Group's video shows suffering at Iowa lawmaker's pig farm

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An animal welfare group gained access to an Iowa state lawmaker’s hog farm and has posted a video on the internet that shows pigs suffering and even dying in what appear to be inhumane conditions.

Two people with Direct Action Everywhere, a Berkeley, California-based group, entered a hog farm last spring owned by Republican Sen. Ken Rozenboom and recorded disturbing conditions on video and in photos.

“Inside the barns, investigators documented months-old piglets suffering bloody rectal prolapses and intense overcrowding. They came across one piglet who was unable to stand, and gasped for air while thrashing wildly for several minutes, before eventually dying,” the group said in a statement.

Matt Johnson, one of those who entered the barn, said he submitted a complaint Thursday to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and local law enforcement after seeing conditions in the barn, which he contends constitute criminal animal neglect under Iowa law. Johnson declined to name the person who accompanied him.

Officials with the Department of Agriculture didn't immediately return calls seeking comment.

The farm is operated by Rosewood Pork, a company owned by Rozenboom and his brother, Calvin Rozenboom. Johnson said he entered the barn on a night last April and entered through an unlocked door. The group delayed publicizing images so it couldn't be accused of contaminating the barn and hurting animals, as farmers have claimed after past investigations, Johnson said.

Ken Rozenboom, who farms near Oskaloosa, said in a statement that he and his brother were surprised and disappointed to learn of the allegations.

“The pictures indicate careless animal husbandry practices that violate acceptable animal care protocols, the very protocols that our...