A $15,000 reward is being offered after two arson attempts took place at a swine farm in Allamakee County, Iowa, last month, reports local news sources. In both of these cases, the vandals attempted to start the barns on fire – while the barns were full of pigs.
According to ABC News 19, the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office reports that two attempts happened on Feb. 5 and Feb. 18 near Lansing, Iowa. The sheriff’s office received a call from the farm about a suspicious device discovered on a building that was full of swine in the first attempt.
Sources report that the device did not ignite the building and only caused minimal damage.
During the second attempt on Feb. 18, deputies went back to the farm for a second device in which remnants of the device were found on the ground near the building where the first device was placed, ABC News 19 reports. The deputies collected all remnants of the device.
The sheriff’s office believes these incidents are related and is asking for the public’s assistance with this case. A $15,000 reward, supported in part by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers ($10,000) and an additional $5,000 from local support, will be paid for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office at 563-568-4521.
The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers is a non-profit organization that assists livestock farmers who want help interpreting rules and regulations, guidance on good site locations for barns, counsel on enhancing neighbor relations and tips on how to protect the environment at no cost. This positive, solutions-based approach to helping livestock farmers grow is a collaborative effort involving the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Poultry Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Turkey Federation and Midwest Dairy. Farm families wanting a helping hand can contact the Coalition at 1-800-932-2436. For more information about the Coalition visit www.supportfarmers.com.
CSIF has offered more than $25,000 in rewards since its launch in 2004 to help solve livestock vandalism cases throughout the state. Anyone with information in the case is encouraged to contact the Allamakee County Sheriff’s Office.
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