JEFFERSON, Iowa — Four people charged with abusing pigs at a farm near Bayard in western Iowa have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to probation.

Richard Ralston, Alan Rettig, Greg Hackler and Jordan Anderson were sentenced this week in Green County District Court. They were charged after the abuse was uncovered by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

The group released a graphic video of the abuse in 2008.

The men were employees at the farm, which is owned by MowMar Farms LLP of Fairmont and supplies Hormel Foods Corp. of Austin.

A fifth man, Shawn Lyons, pleaded guilty in January and was sentenced to probation.

All the men, except for Anderson, were prohibited from working with livestock during their probation.