Smuggled Horses in
West Texas
Found to be Diseased
Found to be Diseased
AUSTIN - U.S. Border Patrol agents recently
seized 10 adult horses and four yearlings as they attempted to enter Texas
illegally by walking across the Rio Grande River near Indian Hot Springs, in
southern Hudspeth county, south of El Paso. The animals were turned over
to the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection
Service, Veterinary Service (USDA/APHIS/VS) officials, who tested the horses in
Presidio, Texas for a number of disease conditions that are considered foreign
to the U.S. All 10 of the adult animals tested positive for Equine
Piroplasmosis (EP). EP is routinely found in Mexico and numerous other
countries around the world, but is not considered to be endemic to the U.S. The
blood borne protozoal disease can be fatal to horses and could create major
constraints to interstate and international movements if left undetected. EP
does not affect humans.
According to Dr. Grant Wease, field
veterinarian for USDA/APHIS/VS in El Paso, the illegal movement of animals is
an ongoing concern in the vast open spaces of West Texas. "In some
places the Rio Grande poses no barrier at all to foot traffic for man or
animal." According to the latest USDA information, Dr. Wease indicated
that "In 2011, approximately 280 head of cattle and 160 head of equine
(primarily horses) were intercepted by USDA officials along the Rio
Grande." To further complicate the situation, many of the normal import
process for livestock entering Texas have been impacted by border violence,
making the attempt to smuggle animals into the state even more tempting.
The investigation by USDA and Texas
Animal Health Commission (TAHC) is ongoing to determine not only the source of
the horses, but the possible destination as well. The TAHC recently passed EP
rules requiring testing of race horses prior to entry into a Texas track, and
numerous other states have done the same because of recent cases found in that
population of horses. "Racing Quarter horses with some connection to
Mexico appear to be at highest risk of testing positive to the emerging
disease," according to Dr. Dee Ellis, State Veterinarian and TAHC
Executive Director. Although the interdicted horses were described as
Thoroughbreds, they were considered to be more likely breeding type animals
rather than race ready horses. Dr. Ellis went on to state, "This situation
highlights the ongoing border security problems Texas is facing, which leads to
an increased risk of disease introduction for the Texas livestock population
when animals enter our state illegally. I encourage all citizens that witness
unusual activity regarding livestock movement near the Mexican border to
contact their local law enforcement or animal health officials as quickly as
possible to report the situation."
The TAHC strives to provide quality
customer service to the citizens of Texas and works with its USDA partners
daily to protect Texas livestock and poultry from foreign animal diseases. With
limited state and federal resources however, the two agencies must continually
review ongoing surveillance efforts along the border to ensure their actions
are as effective as possible.
For more information contact the TAHC
at 1-800-550-8242 or visit www.tahc.state.tx.us .
Founded in 1893, the TAHC works to
protect the health of all Texas livestock including cattle, swine, poultry,
sheep, goats, equine animals and exotic livestock.
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