Source: MEATINGPLACE, 4/8/15

A suspect has been arrested in the killing of more than 300,000 chickens last month on farms in Clarendon County, S.C., that were growing the birds for Pilgrim’s Pride, USA Today reported.

The birds died after someone apparently broke into several chicken houses and changed the climate controls, according to local authorities.

James Laverne Lowery was charged with eight counts of burglary and four counts of malicious injury to personal property. He could face additional charges of tampering with the food chain, according to the report, which noted the case is being turned over to the U.S. attorney’s office. The total loss was estimated at $1.7 million.

Pilgrim’s last month offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the damage.

Other chicken house fires
Separately, police in Lebanon County, Pa., are investigating the second chicken house fire in the area in a week, after some 30,000 birds died in a fire on Monday, according to local media reports.

A fire in the same Pennsylvania community killed 20,000 chickens in November. Poultry house fires have also been reported in Delaware and Alabama in recent months.

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