DES MOINES, Iowa – Authorities on Wednesday charged six employees with animal abuse and neglect in connection with a video obtained by an animal rights group that showed workers abusing pigs.

Reports said that the investigation started after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) released a video about a month ago of workers at a farm in Bayard, Iowa abusing the pigs. The farm is owned by MowMar Farms LLP of Fairmont, Minn., and supplies Hormel Foods Corp. of Austin, Minn.

Greene County, Iowa Sheriff Tom Heater said warrants have been issued for the workers, who are facing charges that include livestock abuse, aiding and abetting livestock abuse and livestock neglect. Once they are arrested, they will have hearings before a Greene County magistrate.

According to a news release from Heater's office, four of the workers no longer work at the plant, while two others are still employed there.

Livestock abuse and aiding and abetting livestock abuse are aggravated misdemeanors that carry penalties including a maximum fine of $6,250 and up to two years in prison, according to the Iowa attorney general's office. The neglect charge is reportedly a simple misdemeanor and is punishable by a maximum fine of $625 and up to 30 days in jail.

Source: Associated Press