WATERLOO - Abuse documented this fall at a Bayard pig farm inspired a demonstration Monday outside Save More grocery store in Waterloo.

Representatives from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals displayed two pig sculptures confined in small medal cages outside the store at 1975 Franklin St. The "Think Before You Eat" display illustrates the living conditions of female breeding animals at factory farms in Iowa, said event organizer Nicole Matthews. PETA staff travel around the nation with the sculptures in an effort to encourage others to boycott factory-farmed meats and adopt a vegetarian diet.

"They can't move around, so they end up with sores on their bodies," said Matthews, referring to the caged animals. "They're social animals, so being confined drives them absolutely mad."

PETA's undercover investigation at the Bayard farm, a supplier for Hormel foods, also documented workers kicking injured pigs, beating livestock with metal rods, and shocking pigs with electric prods. Some employees killed piglets by slamming their heads against the floor. One worker shoved a cane into a pig's vagina.

"My family raised pigs on a farm in Michigan, but I never questioned the status quo," said Matthews, who became a vegetarian four years ago. "Once I learned about the culture of abuse on factory farms I knew I had to withdraw my support."

The demonstrators caught the eye of a handful of motorists passing by the store Monday afternoon. Some stopped to ask questions, while other honked their horns and waved. One driver rolled down his window and shouted obscenities at the three protestors.

Still, Matthews, a PETA campaigner based in Michigan, considers the event a success. Most of the passers by she talked with were civil; asking questions about the display while sharing their own opinions about hog farming in the Cedar Valley. Even if the group didn't convince Save More customers to eat a plant-based diet, the display raised awareness, she said.

Shopper Robert G. Ramsey, of Waterloo, said the sculptures opened his eyes.

"Wow, is this really how the process works?" he asked as he surveyed the caged pig sculptures.

Seeing an opening, Matthews introduced herself and offered facts about conditions on factory farms, where, she says, animals are routinely castrated and have their teeth cut out without the administration of pain killers.

"This gave me an idea of what's happening," Ramsey said later. "It's sad to see them in cages like that. I think they need to put an end to this."

Waterloo resident and vegetarian Darcie Lampman volunteered to be a part of the local protest. The 24-year-old said she hoped the display urges people to question factory farming and their own purchases.

"People don't know what's going on, but if they did, they would want to change things too," Lampman said. "Nobody wants things to be like this, but they just don't know it's happening."

Contact Mary Stegmeir at (319) 291-1482 or mary.stegmeir@wcfcourier.com.