Truck container full of cattle falls off semi-trailer on I-90
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SEATTLE - A container loaded with cattle fell off a tractor-trailer and onto Interstate 90 Saturday morning, landing on its side and killing nearly half of the animals inside, the Washington State Patrol reported.
The container fell off the truck at about 8:15 a.m. near 18th Avenue South. After hitting the pavement, the container rolled over onto its side and skidded about 200 feet, leaving a trail of drag marks and manure.
Troopers immediately responded to the scene, where they found that many of the cattle had died in the crash and some of the surviving cattle still had their hooves stuck in the container's barred windows.
"I've never seen this happen here, no," said Sgt. Joseph Zimmer of the State Patrol.
Authorities didn't want to release the remaining cows from the container, due to concerns they might immediately wander off into freeway traffic.
The only other option was to right the container with the cattle still inside, so two large tow trucks were brought in, and they slowly righted the container.
"It was a pretty big mess," said John Halberg, of GT Towing Service. "When State Patrol called, they asked if we could do a nice, slow, controlled roll to keep the casualties down."
Once the container was upright, it was loaded onto another trailer. The cattle were then trucked to Sunnyside, in Central Washington, to be inspected by a veterinarian.
"We've discussed some options on what to do with the injured and deceased cows in the interim, and really our only option is to continue on to Sunnyside," Zimmer said.
The shipment had just arrived from Hawaii at the Port of Seattle. That's where the State Patrol says the truck driver may have attached the trailer incorrectly or used faulty equipment.
Some lanes of I-90 were closed for about three hours during the incident, causing minor traffic delays.
The accident remains under investigation. Troopers say the truck driver, a 53-year-old Bellingham man, was not speeding when the trailer flipped.
It was not immediately known whether charges would be filed against him.
The container fell off the truck at about 8:15 a.m. near 18th Avenue South. After hitting the pavement, the container rolled over onto its side and skidded about 200 feet, leaving a trail of drag marks and manure.
Troopers immediately responded to the scene, where they found that many of the cattle had died in the crash and some of the surviving cattle still had their hooves stuck in the container's barred windows.
"I've never seen this happen here, no," said Sgt. Joseph Zimmer of the State Patrol.
Authorities didn't want to release the remaining cows from the container, due to concerns they might immediately wander off into freeway traffic.
The only other option was to right the container with the cattle still inside, so two large tow trucks were brought in, and they slowly righted the container.
"It was a pretty big mess," said John Halberg, of GT Towing Service. "When State Patrol called, they asked if we could do a nice, slow, controlled roll to keep the casualties down."
Once the container was upright, it was loaded onto another trailer. The cattle were then trucked to Sunnyside, in Central Washington, to be inspected by a veterinarian.
"We've discussed some options on what to do with the injured and deceased cows in the interim, and really our only option is to continue on to Sunnyside," Zimmer said.
The shipment had just arrived from Hawaii at the Port of Seattle. That's where the State Patrol says the truck driver may have attached the trailer incorrectly or used faulty equipment.
Some lanes of I-90 were closed for about three hours during the incident, causing minor traffic delays.
The accident remains under investigation. Troopers say the truck driver, a 53-year-old Bellingham man, was not speeding when the trailer flipped.
It was not immediately known whether charges would be filed against him.
(CATS) Comfort Animal Transport Suites: The ultimate in animal welfare and comfort during ocean transport around the world. These should be made MANDATORY for livestock shipments. Ending the abusive treatment that livestock are currently subjected to when being shipped from Hawaii to Conus, or anywhere else for that matter.http://strepro.drupalgardens.com/content/cats
At least someone decided to follow up on this story! Not that there are any good outcomes or answers, here is what happened in Sunnyside. http://www.capitalpress.com/content/SB-cattle-trailer-folo-101912#comment There are still many questions to be answered here.
It saddens me greatly to know (not that it is anything new) that our news agencies are so bought and paid for by BigAg and the corporate gluttony. That they would rather protect them and hide the truth, than keep to their sworn oath of providing the truth and full and complete story of what is happening in our world. Really brings to light that there news is filled with only half the story, with no intent to ever shed light on the truth. Raise them like mushrooms, keep them in the dark and feed them bs.
It seems I am now being edited for approval in my posts.
Container Hauler. Â Nothing more needs to be said....
There needs to be an investigation. There had better be some charges filed. The companies involved need to be publicly named. The product (s) of these companies need to be listed and available for viewing. The retailers of these companies products need to be identified and displayed for the public to know. The public will then have the opportunity to choose to purchase these products from those retailers, or to not support these businesses with our dollars. The accident was just that, an accident, maybe there are contributing factors that resulted in the scene the way it ended up, and citations may be issued, that's up to the governing agencies. BUT, what I saw and read,...there has to be changes made. there are a lot of cattle raising people here in this part of our state that would have came to the aid, with trucks, farm-supply stores that would have loaned corral fence sections to control the cattle that were still able to stand and walk, and plenty of big-hearted veterinarians who would have donated their time in an instant, to help reduce the suffering these poor animals had to endure. Be it euthanisation, or actual medical care, but to leave those animals all piled up on each other for another 3 hour ride, legs stuck in what became a vertical surface, is about the worst that could have been done. Shame on the people who decided to solve the situation the way they did. Laws have been broken. There had better be investigations into all involved. There will have been some soul searching by quite a few people, by now as to their part played in this shameful display of cruelty, that undoubtedly has been revealed to the entire planet via the internet and news services. It is a dark day to be human being, again. I don't mean to offend any one, but I could not remain silent.
 @theTJK Have you heard anything as an update to the initial story here ? I sent it out to every place I could think of, state senators, cattle agencies, news agencies, and have gotten no replies (imagine that). Was hoping you had heard something.
 @theTJK Indeed wise words. I have been doing my best to get the word out about what happened to all that I can reach. The media is doing all they can to sweep it under the carpet as they usually are told to do. Thanks for stepping up and posting.
Talking to my wife about all of this, of course there won't be a follow up story, nor will they ever say what happened to the animals in the trailer. Lord knows the trouble they could have with the public if they ever "came to the realization" of what happens in this industry and how these animals are taken care of (or not taken care of, as it were). It is very sad that Komo news could not find it within themselves to shed light on this tragedy. Really just more proof of how controlled the media is.
How bloody ignorant is the trooper to actually trust the driver to get the cows to Sunnyside? Are we going to find out the container was eventually abandoned on some forest road somewhere? Is there not one farm nearby where the poor things could be cleaned, examined and calmed down for the rest of the trip?
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WSP chain of command should be investigated and disciplined. Of course, their ultimate boss is the same lady that heads CPS so maybe that won't happen.
Does the WSP do the same for all roll-over accidents: upright the vehicle and tow it to the hospital?
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 @Farmgirl Well, to be the same, they would have to set the vehicle upright, then have them drive to the hospital in Spokane.
The trucking company is a fraud and should be investigated very, very thoroughly. The company is run by a heroin addict, one of the dispatchers is a crackhead and the other a 12 pack a night alcoholic. The company is owned by a man who isn't even from the US but claims to be and illegally runs a trucking company out of Canada using the address of this 'other' trucking company. The safety record of this company should be looked at carefully as they hire drivers with less then 2 years experience but lie on the paperwork so the fraudulent insurance company they use will cover them.
@SEAHAWKS206 Hey, I'm absolutely APPALLED at this story, the photos, even the photos that Komo printed. I would LOVE an investigation to be done, but those are some mightly hefty accusations you are tossing about ...if you truly believe what you say, contact the WSP directly and asked to speak to the investigator. And KOMO -- you'd BETTER follow up and make sure an investigation is being properly conducted.Â
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This is just despicable treatment. I know that to some slaughtering cattle is no big deal, but to others, it's just horrific treatment of another living creature. And to all those who roll their eyes ... I eat stuff that grows on trees, or in the ground -- BECAUSE of stories like this. I know it won't stop the treatment, but at least I'm not contributing by purchasing the end product.  Horrid.
Between this outrageous incident in which WSP did not insist on immediate veterinary care and the DFW's execution of the Wedge pack, I am ashamed of how Washington treats animals!
To Diamond M rancher  Bill McIrvine, DFW Director Phil Anderson, and Conservation Northwest: The Wedge Pack killed an estimated 17 cattle. This truck driver singlehandedly killed dozens! Which is a greater threat to cattle? You do the math!
 @sundancer So true.
It is great to see such an overwhelming amount of positive comments here by people expressing so much care and concern for these unfortunate animals. However, please extend your kindness and concern to the same animals who are not in traffic accidents, but ultimately suffer the same horrific fate as these animals endured. No one gives them a second thought when shopping for dinner at the grocery store, but are bothered and saddened when they suffer in a transport accident like this. Please don't let your compassion end here. For the whole truth:Â http://earthlings.com/?page_id=32Â
@Jennifer - That is precisely why I only eat freash elk and deer meat that I have harvested and processed/cut and wrapped with my own hands. Venison is healthier, and free of chemcials and tastes great too!
I know. As the article didn't state specifically that they were on their way to the slaughterhouse .... some seem to be speculating; but WSP .. so wrong.  I can't believe they missed this. I'm sure they just couldn't be bothered, were much more concerned about clearing the roadway for vehicles ... but I'm surprised they allowed the driver and the OBVIOUS cruel conditions they were being transported in. Even cows don't cr*p continuously, and even with 70+ in the container ....that container had to be in horrendous conditions before the accident occurred ... let alone what happened after.Â
 @Jennifer The documentary "Earthlings" was what started my Vegan Revolution.   What they say in the Documentary is true, if people had to really see what they eat (from treatment to slaughterhouse), everyone would be vegan.  Earthlings still to this day haunts me, with mankind's treatment of these terrified animals.Â
Morning Komo! Did you send anyone to the destination of this trailer and report on the outcome of this box of horrors ? Were they all dead by the time they arrived ?
*bump*Hey Komo, there are people here that want to know what happened to these animals!
Wow , so because they are cows, we can abuse them further? Where is the ASPCA when you really need them??
From the SeattleTimes::
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" The State Patrol says 30 to 40 cows were in the large container and it is estimated that up to half were killed."
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But yet would not open the container, and left some of them alive with their legs caught in the window bars? Really WSP ?
Anybody know what happened in sunnyside?after the death march?
 @msjaneoly There has been no further updates to the story. Very sad indeed.
Seems to me if they were just arriving from Hawaii, there would have needed to be a USDA person and a veterinarian there to approve their condition of arrival before entering/leaving the port ? Large gaping holes in this story, careful, don't fall in one.
This is very disturbing.  They left the poor animals in the container while they up righted it and then took it ALL the way to Eastern Washington with the dead and injured inside???Â
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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treatedâ ~GandhiÂ
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Washington State = EPIC FAIL
@Slingerss you bet it is and I want people prosecuted for this!,
This is just awful
someone Moooooooooo -ving too fast on the road?
 @newsreader I'm sorry but this is a sad story. Trying to be funny is sickening. Those poor cows. Have you seen all the pictures above? How can that be funny?
 @Howbouthat You're right; it isn't funny. What IS funny (in a very sad and pathetic way) is how so many people here are showing care and concern for these animals when they are victims of a traffic accident, yet they don't give the same animals a second thought as they toss their body parts in their shopping carts for their dinners. Hypocrisy at it's finest.
 @Jennifer I get what you are saying. I don't purchase meat at the grocery store. I buy from a farmer up north in Bellingham that do not treat their animals with cruelty. I would rather drive the 2.5 hours, visit family and purchase meat that way instead of the grocery store.Â
They sent those cows here from Hawaii??? WTH???? Who approved that one?
 @Jeff Valdez I would like to know this also! This would also imply that they came in ON A BOAT, IN A CONTAINER!
 @Commenter87643  @Jeff Valdez I would also, I don't see why they would need to be shipped here. You would think it would be the other way around since they are islands. I know there are other inhumane situations going on in the world. But this is very depressing, knowing they had to be on a container for that amount of time, screw the time-on a container for ANY amount of time!Â
 @Commenter87643  @Howbouthat  @Jeff Valdez If the trailer was shipped from Hawaii, when was it last opened ? When the container flipped on I-90 manure poured from the vents. With WSP not opening it on I-90 it was sent on for another 175 miles with it's gory cargo.
 @Howbouthat  @Jeff Valdez On the surface of it, we import meat from Australia, (and what we've seen seems to be good stuff, usually gotten at Costco, which has a -very good- reputation for checking out their food sources), so why not from Hawaii?
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BUT! whether from Hawaii or Australia, HOW it's shipped here is a huge consideration. I don't really have an issue with them shipping live animals, SO LONG as they're treated very humanely in transit! This needs some SERIOUS checking in to!
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RCW 16.52.205Animal cruelty in the first degree.
(1) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized in law, he or she intentionally (a) inflicts substantial pain on, (b) causes physical injury to, or (c) kills an animal by a means causing undue suffering, or forces a minor to inflict unnecessary pain, injury, or death on an animal.     (2) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when, except as authorized by law, he or she, with criminal negligence, starves, dehydrates, or suffocates an animal and as a result causes: (a) Substantial and unjustifiable physical pain that extends for a period sufficient to cause considerable suffering; or (b) death.     (3) A person is guilty of animal cruelty in the first degree when he or she:     (a) Knowingly engages in any sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal;     (b) Knowingly causes, aids, or abets another person to engage in any sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal;     (c) Knowingly permits any sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal to be conducted on any premises under his or her charge or control;     (d) Knowingly engages in, organizes, promotes, conducts, advertises, aids, abets, participates in as an observer, or performs any service in the furtherance of an act involving any sexual conduct or sexual contact with an animal for a commercial or recreational purpose; or     (e) Knowingly photographs or films, for purposes of sexual gratification, a person engaged in a sexual act or sexual contact with an animal.     (4) Animal cruelty in the first degree is a class C felony.     (5) In addition to the penalty imposed in subsection (4) of this section, the court may order that the convicted person do any of the following:     (a) Not harbor or own animals or reside in any household where animals are present;     (b) Participate in appropriate counseling at the defendant's expense;     (c) Reimburse the animal shelter or humane society for any reasonable costs incurred for the care and maintenance of any animals taken to the animal shelter or humane society as a result of conduct proscribed in subsection (3) of this section.     (6) Nothing in this section may be considered to prohibit accepted animal husbandry practices or accepted veterinary medical practices by a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary technician.     (7) If the court has reasonable grounds to believe that a violation of this section has occurred, the court may order the seizure of all animals involved in the alleged violation as a condition of bond of a person charged with a violation.     (8) For purposes of this section:     (a) "Animal" means every creature, either alive or dead, other than a human being.     (b) "Sexual conduct" means any touching or fondling by a person, either directly or through clothing, of the sex organs or anus of an animal or any transfer or transmission of semen by the person upon any part of the animal, for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal of the person.     (c) "Sexual contact" means any contact, however slight, between the mouth, sex organ, or anus of a person and the sex organ or anus of an animal, or any intrusion, however slight, of any part of the body of the person into the sex organ or anus of an animal, or any intrusion of the sex organ or anus of the person into the mouth of the animal, for the purpose of sexual gratification or arousal of the person.     (d) "Photographs" or "films" means the making of a photograph, motion picture film, videotape, digital image, or any other recording, sale, or transmission of the image.
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 @Charlie Mukilteo Thank you for posting the Washington's RCW for animal cruelty. It's a handy item for anyone wishing to be an advocate for individuals who belong to other species. Print it out, keep it handy, and then remember that exemptions like "(6) Nothing in this section may be considered to prohibit accepted animal husbandry practices or accepted veterinary medical practices by a licensed veterinarian or certified veterinary technician." also deny most nonhuman animals whom we impact protection: Animal agriculture, hunting, fishing, trapping, and experiments using others have such broad exemptions that even those who do not support the rights of other species to be freed from the horrors of these practices should be morally outraged. There is a federal regulation that trucks being used to ship cattle are required to stop for "breaks" but the last time I checked, even this inadequate provision for cattle is not applicable when "livestock" are moved on ships. The is an ongoing battle to protect millions of sheep shipped each year from Australia to the Middle East. Nearly everyone would be an animal rights advocate if only they'd open their eyes and face the facts instead of avoiding them. Search for mumanemeatmyth and freefromharm on the web to learn more.
Cattle in a container? wtf...at least tie your load down
Inhumane response by those at the scene. Incredible.
I have hauled alot of cattle over the years and have never heard of this, It's people like this that give cattle ranchers a bad name . I hope they throw the book at this guy ,BTW Elvis I want the cattle I haul to lay down less chance of injury that way
having been a dairy farmer's wife for 10 years and who also having worked in the barn, I would like to know how you wouid get a cow to lie down on command unless you drugged it!! Actually, too, these animals look very young, not fully grown while the picture in the minds of most people when the story came out, was a cow, a fully grown COW, I am willing to bet.
As to why they were shipped here, could be one of many reasons. Does not mean anyone was cruel, You'd need a bunch of mounted cowboys to keep them under control if they were freed.
We were members of dairy cattle associations and I didn't know a one who was deliberately cruel. Even my husband!
 @J C Smith The dairy industry IS an industry of deliberate cruelty, so your last statement is a downright lie. As a dairy farmer's wife, you KNOW that dairy cows are repeatedly impregnated and have their babies ripped away after birth in order to steal the milk that is produced for CALVES not for human consumption; dairy cows bellow and grieve for their babies when they are ripped away from them. Male calves are mostly considered a waste product of the dairy industry so they are brutally confined and slaughtered for veal. After repeated forced impregnations, painful births, relentless milkings, and crushing bereavements, their spirit gives, their bodies wither, and their milk dries up. At an age when, in nature, a female cow would barely enter adulthood, the life of a dairy cow is over. When her milk "production" declines, she and her other "spent" herd mates are trucked off to a horrific slaughter and hellish deaths. Some are pregnant; all are still lactating. As they are shoved towards death, they drip milk onto the killing floor. ALL dairy operations, including organic, exist solely by doing to millions of defenseless females the worst thing anyone can do to a mother. Dairy farmers and consumers directly support this intentional and unjustifiable CRUELTY. So do NOT claim you and your husband are not deliberately cruel, because CRUEL is EXACTLY what you both are.Â
Washington state made this type of transport legal, on the same bill that requires 2009 and newer vehicles to have California certified emissions equipment;)
@LNSeveNÂ Transporting cattle in anything other then a approved cattle trailer is not legal
This makes me absolutely sick. Poor innocent cows. I can only pray for a world one day, that will treat animals with dignity and respect. I hope they didnt suffer...
 @kelliellid They had to have suffered. Did you see how filthy they were. They set the trailer upright, slapped it on another flat bed and headed off to Sunnyside (175 miles away).. NEVER opening it! It is hard to say how many dead, maimed were in there. Makes me sad how most humans could care less what livestock go through.