Nine people in Wyoming have been charged with cruelty to animals following an undercover investigation of a pig farm by the Humane Society of the United States.

The individuals charged are former employees of Wyoming Premium Farms in Wheatland, about 60 miles north of Cheyenne.

Graphic video and photos surreptitiously taken earlier this year by a Humane Society investigator termporarily working at the pig farm show pigs being hit, kicked, thrown and dragged.

The Platte County Attorney’s office filed a total of 30 counts of misdemeanor animal abuse charges against the nine workers. If convictions result, each charge is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Wyoming Premium Farms referred calls for comment to Audobon, Iowa-based AMVC Management Services, a company hired by the pig farm to provide training to employees.

In a statement, AMVC said the Wyoming facility has “implemented training programs in swine welfare and handling to ensure that all employees understand appropriate animal husbandry skills.”

Steve Raabe: 303-954-1948, sraabe@denverpost.com or twitter.com/steveraabedp