Nebraska farmer accused of starving hogs

A southeastern Nebraska resident was charged Monday with 10 felony counts of animal cruelty and is accused of starving hundreds of pigs on his farm located approximately 25 miles east of Lincoln.

Authorities say hogs in various stages of decomposition were found on the farm belonging to John Maahs of Unadilla late last week. Otoe County Attorney David Partsch says 60-year-old Maahs appeared in court Monday.

Robert Downey. executive director at Capital Humane Society, Lincoln, Neb., was called to the farm Friday by officials investigating the case. According to Downey, between 600 and 1,000 head of livestock were found dead on the farm. Although most were hogs, a number of goats also were found dead.

”It’s one of the most bizarre things I have ever seen in my life,” said Downey in an interview Tuesday with KFOR Radio in Lincoln, Neb. “It is real obvious to me that the person responsible for this is not an ag person. This is not representative of what the vast majority of farmers in our state do.”

Mark Langan of the Nebraska Humane Society in Omaha says necropsies performed on some of the pigs show the animals likely starved to death. Langan went to the farm with county officials on Friday. “The case is certainly not representative of the pork producers in this state,” Langan said.

Partsch says Maahs was not represented by an attorney at his court appearance Monday, and that a judge determined Maahs is not indigent and would have to hire his own attorney. Maahs remains in jail on $50,000 bail.

“The Otoe County Sherriff’s office continues an investigation at the location where the dead pigs were discovered Friday, September 23,” according to Larry Sitzman, executive director, Nebraska Pork Producers Association. “The Sheriff’s investigation includes looking into the ownership of the hogs.”

“Nebraska pork producers consider willful acts of neglect or abuse unacceptable and will not tolerate them,” according to a statement from NPPA. “Pork producers are committed to the well-being of their animals and are committed to a set of ethical principles under the We Care initiative, one of which is to: Protect and promote animal well-being. “

“We have not been to the location in question, nor do we have any official information on this specific situation,” added Sitzman. Nebraska Pork Producers supported the passage of LB 865, the Nebraska Livestock Animal Welfare Act.  This act addresses farm animal cruelty and provides criminal penalties for failing to provide food and water to animals.

“Although I don’t have details of the situation, I can tell you that this is not typical,” says Cindy Cunningham, vice president, communications, National Pork Board. “Most pork producers have made their commitment to animal care and well-being clear by developing awareness and education programs on animal care such as the Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA Plus) and Transport Quality Assurance (TQA) programs,” The industry also has promoted PQA Plus certification and PQA Plus site assessments, with the goal of promoting safe pork and continuously improving animal care and well-being on farms.”

Source: Associated Press, Nebraska Pork Producers Association, National Pork Board, KFOR Radio

 

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These animals represent a capital investment. To starve them to death means loss of income; therefore, he either has severe mental issues, or was acting on some type of revenge. The animals, having no voice, lost. I have great respect for our farmers and their care for their animals. I hope groups, such as HSUS, PeTA do not exploit this very sad incident.

A picture of that Maahs would be helpful. These creatures need to be seen in public.

And then punished in public. In front of the grandstand at the county fair may be best.