ANIMALS
14 Dairy Cows Killed After Truck Rolls Over On Connecticut Highway
Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue
A tractor-trailer carrying 44 dairy cows overturned while exiting a highway in Connecticut Thursday morning, killing eight cows and causing another six to have to euthanized, officials said.
Connecticut State Police and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture responded to the scene of the accident off Interstate 84 in Newtown, where the truck rolled over while exiting. The truck was transporting the cattle from Maine to Ohio, according to the Department of Agriculture.
The agency said a total of 14 animals died, six of which were humanely euthanized. The decision to euthanize the cows was
The agency said the decision was made made in coordination with the owner based upon the circumstances present and to prevent further suffering of the animals, the agency said.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations, the meat from these animals is not fit for human consumption.
The remaining 30 cattle were loaded onto a new trailer and transported to a facility to be evaluated by the state veterinarian, the agency said. The veterinarian found them to be doing well.
CT DoAg is committed to ensuring the health and welfare of livestock and reminds those transporting animals to adhere to safe driving practices to provide a safe journey, the agency said. The USDA provides transportation guidelines and regulations for the movement of animals, which all owners and haulers should review and abide by.
The driver was not injured in the accident, authorities said.
TMX contributed to this article.
