A Livestock Emergency Response Course (LERC) was held for 12 people in the Jaffray area June 8 and 9, to educate first responders on methods for managing animals that are involved in accidents with livestock haulers or trailer incidents.

Highway 3 has a very high volume of semis hauling cattle and pigs and there are many private trailers transporting horses and farm animals.

The course was sponsored by Horse Council BC in an effort to better educate emergency crews in the safest protocols for managing injured animals and minimizing human injuries.

The two-day course, one of theory, and one of practical instruction with the use of an equine mannequin called Calamity (pictured), was hosted by Back Country Horsemen of BC East Kootenay Chapter (BCHBC EKC) and by Owner Identification Inc. (OII), represented by the Jaffray Brand Inspector, Raelynn Blumhagan.

Jennifer Woods, a highly  qualified and experienced person in the field of livestock handling, was the instructor. She travels internationally in her job to instruct others on how to humanely handle cows, pigs, sheep, poultry, bison, and llamas in trauma situations. Following the chain of command, the fire chief and RCMP, is compulsory, remaining calm, and following protocols set in place are critical.

Hopefully, this course will open the doors to the realization that this information is critical to the welfare of humans and livestock at an accident scene and would be very beneficial for all first responders to know.

Submitted by Erin Bryant,

Back Country Horsemen of British Columbia, East Kootenay Chapter

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