BISHOPVILLE, SC – Vandals killed at least 300,000 chickens at farms contracted to raise birds for Pilgrim's Pride, a unit of JBS SA. Law enforcement authorities said the vandals have struck over a two-week period. Losses were estimated between $1.2 million and $1.7 million.

The vandals know what they're doing, according to the Clarendon County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Randy Garrett said the suspects have disabled alarms systems to chicken houses on three separate occasions, turning the heat on or off to kill the birds. Garrett said the suspect is apparently has a vendetta against Pilgrim's.


In a statement, the company said: "Pilgrim's was recently made aware of acts of vandalism in Clarendon County that have resulted in the loss of chickens raised by some of our contract grower partners. These unfortunate, yet apparently deliberate acts show a blatant disregard for the welfare of the chickens and the livelihood of the family farmers involved. We are fully cooperating with local authorities. Given the ongoing investigation, we have no further comment at this time."