Articles: Horse News
TAHC and USDA Rounding Up Stray Livestock Due to
Rio Grande River Flooding
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
~Serving Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893~
Dee Ellis, DVM, MPA ~ Executive Director
P.O. Box l2966 ~ Austin, Texas 78711 ~ (800) 550-8242
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us
For more information contact the Public Information office at
1-800-550-8242, ext. 710 or at bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 31, 2010
AUSTIN - The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) has been working jointly with the United States Department of Agriculture-Veterinary Services (USDA-VS) to recover stray livestock that have come across the Rio Grande River due to recent rainfall that has flooded several South Texas counties.
USDA-VS personnel in the Laredo and Eagle Pass areas responded to stray livestock issues as a result of the Rio Grande River flooding. To date, two Mexico horses were washed across the Rio Grande River during the flooding above Laredo into two different premises. They were located by helicopter and apprehended on horseback.
Twenty three Mexican cattle were washed across the river below Eagle Pass, potentially exposing several premises to ticks. They were returned to the Mexican owner.
Del Rio inspectors have apprehended three head of cattle and one horse, but continue to search areas that have so far not been accessible. There are many more animals reported missing in Mexico.
"The skills that the tick riders use in their daily work in handling and
rounding up livestock have proven to be an invaluable asset in response to
disasters such as this, the flooding of the Rio Grande River," said Dr. Matt
Cochran, TAHC Assistant Executive Director.
On Thursday, July 22, a USDA-VS veterinarian assessed the status of the
cattle stranded in Starr County. Based on his assessment, TAHC, Texas
AgriLife Extension (ALEXT), and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers
(TSCRA) personnel were able to swim two head of cattle and one horse to dry
land that day. Currently, through the efforts in protecting these livestock
in Starr County, there were 9 head of cattle and one horse rescued, as
well. TAHC was assisted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
wardens who supplied a boat to get to the location where the livestock were
stranded.
The Texas Animal Health Commission works to protect the health of all Texas livestock, including: cattle, swine, poultry, sheep, goats, equine animals, and exotic livestock.
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