Articles: Horse News
Texas Animal Health Commission Responds to Raging Fires across the State
Contact:
Texas Animal Health Commission
"Serving Texas Animal Agriculture Since 1893"
2105 Kramer Lane ~ Austin, Texas 78758
512.719.0710 ~ bonnie.ramirez@tahc.state.tx.us ~ 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
September 10, 2011
AUSTIN --
As part of the state's Animal Response Team, the Texas A&M Veterinary
Emergency Team (VET) has a 13-member team working with the local sheriff's
department and animal control officers to triage and stabilize animals being
removed from the burned areas in Bastrop County and to provide veterinary
care to the search and rescue canines deployed with Texas Task Force 1.
According to Russell Iselt, Region 7 Supervising Inspector, the TAHC has
been assisting local livestock officials in escorting producers into
affected/restricted areas to help or allow them to feed and water their
stock.
A number of local veterinarians have taken in displaced animals and treated
injured or burned animal patients. The TAHC and Texas A&M VET, along with
Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) are working closely to support
veterinarians and their needs. To our knowledge, no veterinary clinics have
been destroyed by the fires and many remain open and actively involved,
Dr. Tommy Barton, Region 7 Director, said.
Several organizations/agencies are involved in an emergency situation such
as the current wildfires, Dr. Terry Hensley, TAHC Assistant Executive
Director, said. It takes a great deal of team work to address and meet all
needs. We are proud to assist the citizens of Texas in resolving animal
related disasters and to partner with several state agencies and industry
groups that all have a variety of skills that complement each other in our
shared mission of addressing the needs of animals in disaster situations,
Hensley said.
State officials remind Texans about the continued extreme wildfire danger
throughout the state. Texans are urged to be cautious, stay alert and be
smart when partaking in activities that involve fire. Most counties in Texas
are under burn bans, so obey the burn bans as they apply.
As the TAHC continues to monitor wildfire situations across the state and
assist as emergency situations arise, Amanda Bernhard, TAHC Emergency
Management Coordinator, says, "You should always try to take your pets and
livestock with you if at all possible if a fire occurs, but if you are not
able to, make sure to contact the local livestock deputies and animal
control officers to find out where animals displaced by the fires have been
taken for shelter.
For TAHCs current wildfire response and involvement information, find the
TAHC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TexasAHC or Twitter at
www.twitter.com/TAHC.
Founded in 1893, 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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