International Courant
CITY OF OKLAHOMA — A virtually century-old Oklahoma firm that provides cattle for rodeos noticed as many as 70 horses die every week in the past after being fed feed that house owners believed was contaminated.
Rhett Beutler, co-owner of Beutler and Son Rodeo Co. close to Elk Metropolis, advised KFOR-TV that the horses died shortly after being fed.
“We did not know what was occurring, we simply grabbed the feed and began feeding them like we at all times do,” Beutler mentioned. “Then swiftly we appeared up and there have been horses simply falling over and dying.”
Beutler and Son officers didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark Friday.
“All these horses are a bit like my youngsters; I raised them from the second they have been born,” Beutler advised KOKH-TV“For those who lose one, that is one too many.”
The Oklahoma Division of Agriculture, Meals and Forestry mentioned in an announcement that it was notified on Aug. 23 of the horses’ deaths ensuing from a big feed order and that it has launched an investigation.
“An inspector visited the Beutler and Son location on behalf of the Division on Monday, August 26 and found the feed originated in Kansas,” the assertion mentioned. “The ODAFF inspector collected a feed pattern that’s being analyzed at two state-certified laboratories.”
The division says it’s working with the Kansas Division of Agriculture to analyze the corporate that equipped the feed.
“We’ve got initiated an investigation that features labeling procedures, working procedures and a overview of their information to make sure that correct protocols have been adopted” in producing and transport the feed to Oklahoma, mentioned Jamie Stewart, Kansas agriculture spokesman.
The corporate that equipped the feed has not but been disclosed as a result of ongoing investigation, Stewart mentioned.
Dr. Gregg VeneKlasen of Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital, the Beutlers’ veterinarian, declined to touch upon the deaths apart from to name it a “tragedy.”
Beutler and Son was based in 1929 as Beutler Brothers close to Elk Metropolis, about 105 miles (169 km) west of Oklahoma Metropolis, and provides cattle for rodeos, together with the Nationwide Finals Rodeo.
In accordance with Randy Hargis, board member of Elk Metropolis Rodeo, the corporate is offering a lot of the provides for the Elk Metropolis Rodeo, which begins Friday evening. He mentioned occasions embrace bareback horse driving, saddle bronc driving, bull driving and steer wrestling.
