Pregnant cow on the lam

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Everything went wrong at the California State Fair in Sacramento in July when a pregnant cow broke loose from an exhibit at a birthing barn.

According to KCRA News, the cow stampeded through the midway area just after 9:30 a.m. A veterinarian gave police permission to shoot the agitated 1,400-pound Holstein. "She wasn't predictable and she was a little mean," the vet said on camera.

The upshot is that the University of California-Davis has called for a complete review of animal use and handling procedures for all animals intended for public exhibition at the state fair and for the veterinary emergency response team to develop a plan and training for public safety officials who must deal with large, unrestrained animals in public places and on roadways.

Predictably, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals put the icing on this public relations disaster by demanding that birthing exhibits be banned. BF