Each week, millions of livestock animals are transported on roads and highways across the U.S. Numerous risks come with transporting animals, including accidents that can become chaotic and dangerous when large numbers of animals are injured or spill out of the trailers and onto the highway.
These situations pose great risk not only to the animals involved, but also to the traveling public and first responders charged with restoring order. When transportation accidents involving livestock occur, the best outcome is typically achieved when first responders on the scene are trained in proper animal handling methods and have access to the proper equipment (portable gating, ropes/halters, sorting boards, metal saws, ramps, etc.) needed to move and contain the animals at a safe location.
To prepare Michigan first responders, law enforcement officers and the animal agriculture industry for these situations, Michigan State University Extension, with support from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has developed programming focused on Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL).
Source: msu.edu
Photo Credit: Michigan State University
Categories: Michigan, Education, Livestock