Virginia Charged with Animal Cruelty for Illegal Hog Farm
A man has been charged after more than 100 hogs were discovered living in what authorities described as deplorable conditions at an illegal Virginia Beach farm.
The Virginian-Pilot reports online court records show 64-year-old Gary Morris Sr. faces several charges including six counts of animal cruelty. He was charged Wednesday.
The pigs were found Dec. 29 near a soybean field. Police spokeswoman Tonya Pierce says the hogs were found on city property, but they don't belong to the city. Barry Shockley, the city's facilities manager, says the city didn't have an agreement for anyone to be farming that land.
Authorities removed the animals Dec. 31.
Police say the hogs were relocated to other farms.
It isn't clear if Morris has an attorney to comment on the charges.