Youths accused of abusing pigs

Trooper Matthew G. Hartman said the youths, ages 14-17, broke into the barn of Larry Elwood Swindell at Rear 338 Breakneck Road, Connellsville, earlier this month.

After climbing through a window, the youths rummaged through some cabinets before pouring pipe glue on one pig and spraying penetrating oil in the faces of two other pigs, Hartman said.

They also put screws, nuts and bolts in the feed trough where the pigs eat.

The animals are all fine, Hartman said.

The youths -- all males -- are expected to be charged today with burglary, criminal mischief and cruelty to animals through the Fayette County Juvenile Probation Office.

It appeared as if boys didn't have an axe to grind with Swindell, Hartman said.

"They just sort of wound up there doing stupid things," he said.

Craig Smith can be reached at Esta dirección electrónica esta protegida contra spam bots. Necesita activar JavaScript para visualizarla or (724) 850-1217.