Suspicious Deaths of 58 Cows In North Dakota

Officials in North Dakota are investigating the deaths of 58 pregnant cows on July 29 in a pasture near Jamestown.

Rancher Brian Amundson described the de aths as “peculiar” to KFYR TV in Bismarck. Amundson found the dead cows where they were grazing on the Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge approximately 100 miles northwest of Fargo. Eighty cows in the pasture survived. Arrowwood is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

An investigation was launched by the Stutsman County Sheriff’s department and the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association. North Dakota State University veterinarian and livestock stewardship specialist Gerald Stokka was called in to examine the cows.

“We knew it wasn’t lightning because we hadn’t had any thunderstorms in several months, so that was ruled out right away,” Stokka told KFYR. “We went through this list of things that could cause high-death loss in a very short period of time.”

Anthrax was also ruled out.

“The death loss was certainly way above almost any expectation of a natural cause, a natural infection, a natural disease, or a natural exposure to some toxins,” Stokka said.

Amundson, a fourth-generation rancher, said the cattle had a value of $100,000.

“It’s extremely saddening, frustrating, emotional that you would think that someone else would have such disregard for animal life. I don’t understand, just not designed that way as a rancher. Our job is to take care of animals,” said Amundson.

The surviving cows are due to calve within the next two to 10 weeks. Long-term effects from the incident are unknown.

The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association and the owner are offering up to $40,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

Call the Stutsman County Sheriff’s Department at 701-251-6232 or the NDSA at 701-290-3993 or 701-390-2975 with information.