Animal welfare groups are rallying behind the 46 Belgian draft horses that survived a horrific road smash in the state of Illinois, amid fears that the animals may ultimately find their way to slaughter plants.
Authorities are also delving further into the circumstances of the crash, revealing that the double-deck truck used to carry the horses was designed for animals no bigger than cattle. The horses, most of them under three years of age, were reportedly unable to stand properly in the truck.
The accident, in which the truck ended up on its side, presented a dangerous task for rescuers, who had to work in cramped and difficult conditions to free the animals.
Of the 59 Belgians on board the truck, 13 either died or were euthanized because of their injuries. Rescuers took five hours to free all the animals.
The horses were being trucked interstate to Minnesota to a horse auction. However, rescue groups fear the ultimate fate of the horses beyond the sale may be slaughter plants either in Canada or Mexico.
The accident happened at 6.55 p.m. on October 27 in the Newport area on Route 41 north of Wadsworth Road. No fewer than eight fire departments turned out to help with rescue efforts.
Assistant Chief Joe Hubbard, of Newport’s fire department, said the semi-trailer carrying the horses had been involved in a collision with a pick-up truck.
“The first arriving units found a semi-trailer on its side. The trailer was loaded with 59 horses,” he said.
The accident blocked all lanes.
“Operations began immediately to rescue the horses from the overturned semi-trailer. The rescue operation used a variety of heavy-equipment extrication techniques.
“It took over four hours to remove all of the horses,” he said. “Thirteen perished in the accident.” The 46 survivors were removed to a nearby farm.
Veterinarians from Bristol, Gurnee and Wadsworth went to the accident to treat the horses. Lake County Mounted Posse was contacted and coordinated the removal of the live horses from the scene.
Police have not ruled out charges in relation to the way in which the horses were transported. It is understood the driver has already been charged in connection with allegedly going through a red traffic light.
Local horse owners and welfare groups also helped in the rescue efforts, but voiced concern afterwards about the possible fate of the animals.
Newport Fire Chief Mark Kirschhoffer said the department had learnt several lessons from the rescue effort and would be adjusting its planning for any future such incidents.
He said rescue agencies must have contact lists for large-animal veterinarians and form relationships with local horse groups for qualified operators to fill transportation needs for not only horses, but also any livestock moved on highways.
He said an investment by local horse clubs in a portable coral kept on a trailer, and made available to rescue services when needed, would be invaluable.
The driver of the truck involved in the accident refused medical care at the scene. The driver and passenger in the pick-up were taken to hospital for treatment, but their injuries were not life-threatening.
The president of the Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle, extended the society’s thanks to the rescue workers.
“We mourn the loss of these magnificent creatures. I extend my most heartfelt gratitude to the rescue workers, veterinarians and volunteers who rushed to the scene in an attempt to save the injured horses.”
He also expressed concern over the possible fate of the horses at slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico. “The gory details of this accident serve as a reminder of the grisly nature of shipping large numbers of horses hundreds of miles…” he said.
“If there is any good to come from this weekend’s tragedy, it will reinforce the need for Congress to pass the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act, which will permanently end the shipment of horses across our borders to end up on a dinner plate overseas.”
