Livestock becoming victims of Violence
AP - A dozen of one farmer's cows have been gunned down since August. Another lost a 370-head hog nursery in a January fire investigators believe was intentionally set.
Reports of vandalism to farm equipment, buildings and at livestock construction sites have been turning up across rural Iowa.
Some farmers also say they've received threatening telephone calls and letters. They're coming from people condemning the bigger-is-better approach to raising cattle and pigs.
The question facing law enforcement officials is whether the incidents are random acts or deliberate, orchestrated attacks by those with personal, political or social agendas.
Since August, the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers has identified at least seven significant acts of violence and threats aimed at farmers.
The majority targeted hog producers who have expanded their operations or pursued government permits to do so. Cattle producers
have also been victims.
That's all according to Aaron Putze. He's the executive director of the coalition, which helps farmers meet environmental regulations.
No arrests have been made in the Iowa cases. Investigators say they believe the acts are the work of locals rather than radical, outside groups.
