Canadian Western Agribition has suspended for three years the people involved with the death of a Charolais cow during the 2010 show.
Agribition chief executive officer Jason Pollock said Tim Bullick, Tyler Bullick and Prairie Cove Charolais, all of Bowden, Alta., were notified in late December and have 60 days to appeal.
“They will be suspended from participation at CWA and they’re not permitted to be on the show grounds through the 2011, 2012 and 2013 shows,” Pollock said Jan. 10.
“If the parties do not appeal, the decision is considered final.”
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In addition to the ban on show participation until 2014, future participation will be probationary.
ACC Miss Trim, a two-year-old cow with calf at side, was in distress in the show ring and collapsed and died after being taken back to its stall.
Prairie Cove owned the cow, along with Don Grant Farms and Clear Lake Charolais.
While autopsy results were inconclusive, observers have said that someone pumped soda pop into the cow to make it appear fuller.
Pollock said during the investigation that the Bullicks were consulted but did not admit to causing the problem.
“The decision in this case was based on eye witness accounts and letters of complaint received regarding the health and visible distress of the animal prior to the exhibitor’s decision to take her into the show ring,” he said. “Because the results of the autopsy were inconclusive as to the cause of death … the (disciplinary) committee was left with the actions of the person who is taking care of the animal and those actions were deemed to be contrary to our code of ethics for the humane treatment of animals.”
Show rules state that those who fail to adhere to acceptable standards of animal welfare can be banned.
In this case, the show judge asked the exhibitor if he would like to remove the cow from the ring but he said no.
“She should have been in the care of a vet,” Pollock said.
At Agribition, the various breed associations operate their own shows and sales. Pollock said the show would be sending letters to all associations expressing support for their officials, including judges and ringmen, who might have to take action to ensure animal safety.
Pollock added that people have been suspended in the past for various violations but an incident of this type is the first the show is aware of.
“We want to issue a very strong message of support for the humane and ethical treatment of all the animals that enter our grounds,” he said.
As of Jan. 10, Agribition had not received an appeal.
The Bullicks could not be reached for comment.
