WASHINGTON – The Humane Society of the United States has released a video taken by an undercover worker that allegedly depicts sows and piglets being mistreated at a Kentucky production facility.

HSUS said the video was taken in early 2014 at Iron Maiden Hog Farm in Owensboro, Ky. The group claims that more than 900 piglets died from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus in two days. Voice-over narration in the video states the intestines of piglets that died from PEDv were removed and turned into a “smoothie” and fed to the sows. The practice of feeding the intestines or diarrhea of infected piglets is intended to immunize the sows against the virus. The practice is considered safe and legal in states that allow it, but HSUS said the practice is prohibited in Kentucky.


The HSUS video has gained attention from national media. Nicholas Kristof wrote an opinion piece inThe New York Timesafter viewing the footage ahead of its release on Feb. 20.