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Posted on 04/03/2004 12:14:23 PM PST by WKB
HELENA - Federal officials are investigating how a truckload of rodeo bulls was allowed to cross the Canada-U.S. border and enter Montana, apparently in violation of government restrictions based on health concerns.
Montana Department of Livestock spokeswoman Karen Cooper said 20 to 30 rodeo bulls gained entry from Canada this week. The animals have been placed under quarantine in the Helena area and present no health risk, she said.
In May, the United States prohibited all live cattle from Canada from entering the country after Alberta reported a case of mad cow disease. Canada prohibited northbound shipments of live U.S. cattle after a case of the disease was found in the state of Washington in December.
The U.S. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is in charge of the investigation into shipment of the rodeo bulls.
"It's an open investigation right now, and we don't provide information," said Meghan Thomas, an APHIS public affairs officer in Maryland.
U.S. Customs officials at the Port of Sweet Grass also declined to comment.
Asked who brought the animals into Montana, Cooper said, "That's part of the ongoing investigation with APHIS."
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