Iowa Department of Natural Resources Environmental Services Division For Immediate Release June 28, 2007 CHARGES TO BE FILED FOR DEAD HOGS FOUND IN RACCOON RIVER MEDIA CONTACTS: Earl Hardisty, Sac County Attorney, at (712) 662-4791. SAC CITY -- The DNR is continuing its investigation of a group of dead hogs found in the Raccoon River last week. Early last week DNR Spencer field office staff found 31 partially decomposed hog carcasses, weighing about 10 to 20 pounds each, in the Raccoon River. The DNR discovered these carcasses after receiving a call from local canoeists. DNR field staff, in collaboration with the Sac County Sheriff's Office, has traced the origin of these hogs to an Indiana farrowing operation. During the transportation of these hogs to an Iowa based confinement feeding operation, a loss of 143 hogs was discovered. 'We've spent the last week interviewing people and have followed up on several leads and pieces of evidence," said Tom Roos, an environmental specialist in the DNR's Spencer field office. As a result of this investigation, Sac County Attorney Earl Hardisty intends to file charges early next week against an individual believed to be responsible for the dumping of at least 31 of the dead hogs into the Raccoon River. Additional individuals remain under investigation in this case. The responsible party could face imprisonment or criminal penalties, or both, for the improper disposal of dead animals and causing water pollution. Environmental Specialist Jennifer Christian of the Spencer DNR field office said, "We're also advising Iowans that they can resume normal recreational activity on the river." - 30 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To unsubscribe from the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to: [log in to unmask] Check out our Listserv Lists support site for more information: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/faq.asp Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/