Hay bales slashed in eastern Finland, police investigate three cases

Police in eastern Finland are investigating three separate incidents of hay bale destruction, with the latest occurring Wednesday in Mäntyharju, Yle reports.

A farm worker discovered 60 hay bales slashed open on Pauli Rautvaara’s fields in Tuustaipale. The plastic and netting were cut from end to end with a sharp blade, causing an estimated €5,000 in damage. Each bale costs €70–80, and the cleanup requires significant labor, as the hay cannot be left to spoil.

Rautvaara, who had never experienced such vandalism before, described the cuts as deliberate. “Previously, only birds and hares have damaged the bales. This time, the cuts are so clear that it must be human,” he said.

Similar incidents were reported in May in Kerimäki, where 23 bales were destroyed, and in Kontiolahti, where 120 bales belonging to horse entrepreneur Saga Pouda were slashed, resulting in losses of up to €12,000. Rautvaara suggested the perpetrator may know that thoroughly damaging the bales ensures their destruction.

Rautvaara filed a police report, though authorities have not yet begun the investigation. Eastern Finland Police Senior Constable Arto Tynkkynen confirmed the report was recently logged in the system.

No motive has been established, but Rautvaara suspects malicious mischief.