Fayette County Farmer Pleads Not Guilty to Animal Neglect

A Fayette County farmer has pleaded not guilty to livestock neglect after 3,000 hogs died on his property. 

41-year-old Derek Smith filed the written plea Monday in Fayette County District Court. 

Court records say Smith was hired by Valley Farms to care for the hogs on his property near Randalia. On June 2nd, authorities found more than 3,000 feeder hogs dead at his confinement operation. Authorities say the animals died from lack of feed and another 200 hogs had to be euthanized due to poor health.

The charge is a serious misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,560 fine.