Not disclosed

150 pigs perish during transport from Ohio to Mexico

Brownsville, TX

June 26, 2006

150 of 2,644 pigs being shipped from Ohio to Queretaro, Mexico perished.  Investigators are still looking for answers.  The animals were delivered to a Texas Department of Agriculture pen near Brownsville-South Padre Island International Airports, where they died of suspected heat exhaustion and dehydration.

TDA spokesman Allen Spelce stated that most of the 150 pigs that died, died in transit and not at the export facility.  He further stated that TDA employees were not responsible for the deaths.

2,644 pigs were en route from Ohio to Mexico when they stopped at the border for a routine check. Some arrived on June 26 and the others arrived on June 27. They were intended to cross the border simultaneously.  Approximately 45 pigs were found dead on June 27 and the rest on June 28 as paperwork issues continued to stall their transit.  The ultimate destination was a breeding facility owned by the Pig Improvement Company, or PIC.

Spelce stated that TDA employees asked a truck driver to unload the pigs because they were in obvious distress, but the driver refused because he needed permission for PIC. Eventually permission was given and the pigs were given water and TDA employees were able to take care of some of them.  It is still unclear what trucking company or companies were used to transport the animals. The driver(s) involved have not been identified.

A professor of animal science at Texas Tech University, John McGlone, has agreed to investigate the situation on behalf of PIC on the condition at he make his results available to all agencies involved. McGlone stated that some of the animals likely died in transit, but doubts the claim that most died before reaching Brownsville.  He further stated that the care provided for the pigs while in transit was variable. Some pigs on some trucks received better care than pigs on other trucks.

Brownsville Police Lt. James Paschall stated the local investigation is ongoing, but charges are expected in the case.  Paschall further stated that the case is turning out to be quite complex due to the international nature of the transport, Canadian drivers, the Mexican destination and the United Kingdom-based PIC.

Animal welfare groups, including the Humane Society of the United States, have taken an interest in the case as an example of harsh animal transport practices.
 

Reference:

Brownsville Herald