170 cattle fall through ice & drown

[Minimor]

Every winter we seem to hear of livestock falling through the ice & dying. Usually it's not this many animals, but this is an excellent example of why stock should be fenced away from water, especially once winter comes!

Cattle fall through ice in Alberta

 

[Voodoo]

Wow, that is one very sad and expensive way to learn that lesson for yourself :no: . I just hate seeing this kind of story, so darn sad. Thanks for sharing the warning with us though.

 

[minisaremighty]

Very sad! :no:

I have always been concerned about the pond on our property. I made my husband fence it in when we got goats. I hate them being around it, always afraid they will slide in and not be able to get out. Especially the babies. :new_shocked: This year, the fence was blown down in one spot and he never fixed it. They were jumping over that section and in there half the summer and I was a nervous wreck. He WILL be fixing it before spring comes so they can be out there next summer and I don't have to worry.

 

[Becky]

What a terrible loss and yes, a reminder for all of us to keep our livestock away from frozen ponds!

Last winter I had one of my mares fall through the ice on my not very deep pond. Due to the ice and mud, she couldn't get out. Fortunately, I found her still struggling. There was no way I could get her out even with a rope around her neck. I knew it would be foolish of me to try to go in the water to try to save her as it was only 15 F outside and we didn't need 2 drownings. I ran back to the barn and called 911. I got the fire dept and they were here within 10 - 15 min of my call. 6 firefighters with some heavy rope got in the pond and looped it under her belly, then they pulled her right out. We took her to the barn and with lots of towels and a hair dryer, finally got her to quit shivering. I left her blanketed and heat lamps on. Thankfully, she is fine today thanks to the quick response of the firefighters!