A tractor-trailer rollover on U.S. Interstate 84 in Newtown, Connecticut, early on Thursday morning killed eight cattle, with six more being euthanized after the fact.
The trailer was hauling the dairy cattle, 44 in total before the crash, from Maine to Ohio, Connecticut Department of Agriculture officials said. The decision to euthanize six of the cattle was taken in concert with the unspecified owner of the cattle.
The six cattle were shot to death by state troopers, Connecticut State Police said.
The Connecticut State Veterinarian evaluated the other 30 cattle and were doing well as of Thursday afternoon. The driver was uninjured, according to Sandy Hook Fire and Rescue.
An exit ramp off the highway going westbound was shut down for hours due to the crash, fire officials said.
Cleanup of a fuel spill from the accident also kept the ramp closed until it could reopen in the afternoon, according to WFSB-TV.
The cattle were taken to a secure facility and then loaded onto a new tractor-trailer to be transported to Ohio as originally planned, Connecticut Department of Agriculture spokesperson Rebecca Eddy told the Hartford Courant Friday.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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