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Report sparks change in livestock regulations
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The Maryland Department of Agriculture has revised protocols for livestock auction inspectors and will impose fines for treatment violations. – Greg Whitesell/Examiner file
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Reports of inhumane treatment of a cow too injured to move at the Westminster Livestock Auction Market have spurred the Maryland Department of Agriculture to tighten regulations.
The U.S. Humane Society videotaped the cow April 22 and notified the MDA. The cow dropped off by its owner, was not recovering well from surgery and the auction’s owner allegedly failed to follow state regulations and take care of the animal, according to MDA.
“A downed animal would either need to be humanely euthanized or under the care of a veterinarian,” said Julie Oberg, an MDA spokeswoman. “He has to take appropriate care for a downed animal, and he allegedly did not do those things. There’s also allegations that he did not provide food and water.”
The owner of the auction could not be reached for comment. He could face criminal charges depending on the results of the MDA’s investigation.
The reports have prompted the MDA to revise protocols for livestock auction inspectors to report and track “downed” animals, officially inform management of the action that must be taken and to follow up to see whether appropriate actions were taken.
“MDA will not tolerate violations of its animal welfare laws and regulations, and has been working to update and make them more stringent,” Agriculture Secretary Roger Richardson said.
The department instructed the auction’s owner to review regulations that require care for animals that cannot move and to better train employees on how to humanely treat animals.
State lawmakers passed legislation this year that allows the MDA to fine auction owners up to $10,000 when laws regulating animals’ health are violated, but that law goes into effect in October.
The Westminster auction is one of four in the state. About 22,000 animals were sold there last year, according to the MDA.
Mark Dulin, a senior field veterinarian with the MDA, is leading the department’s investigation, which is expected to be completed within two weeks.
msilvestri@baltimoreexaminer.com
