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Animal carcasses dumped in McLennan County
By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition
July 27, 2006 - Some "significant leads have been picked up" within a week of the finding of dumped elk carcasses in McLennan County, cited Buddy Turner, assistant chief of wildlife law enforcement division for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Evidence shows eight cow elk and one young bull elk were drug individually from a trailer on County Road 2311 near Tours (northeast of Waco) into a field mid-morning Tuesday, July 11. And, evidence shows several trips were likely made to complete the task of dumping the dead animals, Turner reported.
Texas Animal Health Commission spokesperson Carla Everett reported on July 20 that blood and tissue samples collected from the elk showed they died of heat-related stress.
Beyond the illegal dumping of the carcasses, the case points to the problem of illegal transportation of such animals. There are strict entry requirements in place for livestock and exotic hoofed stock entering Texas. Since January 2006, TAHC regulations require radio frequency identification devices (RFID tags) and movement documentation on elk moved within the borders of Texas. Illegal transportation could introduce disease, such as Chronic Wasting Disease, into the state.
Turner reports of suspicious activity in the area near the dumped carcasses include information of a dark-colored pickup and a paneled trailer. "A suspect known for illegal transportation of deer and elk was seen in the area that day with a broken-down trailer," Turner said on July 20. "But his name is not the only one that has surfaced."
TPWD has printed reward posters with details of the situation that businesses can obtain from the local game warden, Ronny Yates (254-867-7951), for hanging in their establishments. Currently, the reward for information is $1,000, upon conviction of the violator.
Anyone with information about this case, or on the illegal movement of any elk or deer within Texas, can contact the Operation Game Thief reward hotline at 800-792-GAME. Callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for the reward.
By LORI COPE | East Texas Edition
July 27, 2006 - Some "significant leads have been picked up" within a week of the finding of dumped elk carcasses in McLennan County, cited Buddy Turner, assistant chief of wildlife law enforcement division for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Evidence shows eight cow elk and one young bull elk were drug individually from a trailer on County Road 2311 near Tours (northeast of Waco) into a field mid-morning Tuesday, July 11. And, evidence shows several trips were likely made to complete the task of dumping the dead animals, Turner reported.
Texas Animal Health Commission spokesperson Carla Everett reported on July 20 that blood and tissue samples collected from the elk showed they died of heat-related stress.
Beyond the illegal dumping of the carcasses, the case points to the problem of illegal transportation of such animals. There are strict entry requirements in place for livestock and exotic hoofed stock entering Texas. Since January 2006, TAHC regulations require radio frequency identification devices (RFID tags) and movement documentation on elk moved within the borders of Texas. Illegal transportation could introduce disease, such as Chronic Wasting Disease, into the state.
Turner reports of suspicious activity in the area near the dumped carcasses include information of a dark-colored pickup and a paneled trailer. "A suspect known for illegal transportation of deer and elk was seen in the area that day with a broken-down trailer," Turner said on July 20. "But his name is not the only one that has surfaced."
TPWD has printed reward posters with details of the situation that businesses can obtain from the local game warden, Ronny Yates (254-867-7951), for hanging in their establishments. Currently, the reward for information is $1,000, upon conviction of the violator.
Anyone with information about this case, or on the illegal movement of any elk or deer within Texas, can contact the Operation Game Thief reward hotline at 800-792-GAME. Callers may remain anonymous and are eligible for the reward.
