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Extracted from Consolidated Report
This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.
Lake County Grand Jury
• 2024-2025
Highway Havoc: First Responders' Adaptation During Cattle Truck Overturns
⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings 11 findings
F1
Page 102
Cattle trailer turnovers are extremely resource-intensive and require the cooperation and effective coordination of all responding agencies and volunteers.
F2
Page 102
First responders require expertise and training in trapped, injured, or loose animal handling and rescue.
F3
Page 102
The command team needs to have immediate and reliable communication via Star-Link satellite to be able to acquire volunteer assistance and containment materials to keep persons and animals safe.
F4
Page 102
Prepositioning of response trailers stocked with appropriate tools and fencing along major livestock transportation thoroughfares would help expedite an effective response.
F5
Page 102
No animals should be released from the truck until the scene is secure in order to prevent secondary injury to responders, livestock, or the public.
F6
Page 102
If euthanasia is necessary, complicated circumstances come into play that should be understood prior to the rollover, with clear lines of authority delineated.
F7
Page 102
The unique challenges and potential dangers posed by injured and distressed livestock are included in the draft Emergency Response Guide being finalized by a team of fire-district first-responders within Lake County.
F8
Page 102
This Lake County Emergency Response Team further arranged to receive training in equine rescue at UC-Davis.
F9
Page 102
To date, neither an OES Large Animal Response Annex nor internal policies and procedures addressing livestock animal emergencies has been completed by Animal Care and Control.
F10
Page 102
Animal Care and Control currently lacks a veterinarian who could provide necessary assistance to the first responders and the livestock during trailer rollovers. Page | 101 2024-2025 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Final Report
F11
Page 103
Animal Care and Control has not reactivated its LEAP animal disaster service that could have responded to the first two rollovers. RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations 8
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R1Page 103That all fire and law-enforcement first responders within Lake County undergo classroom training, tabletop exercises, demonstrations, and hands-on practice to enable them to make critical assessments and decisions to keep themselves and the public safe during emergency stock-trailer incidents. (F- 1, F-2, F-4, F-5, F-6)
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R2Page 103That fire and law-enforcement first responders be enabled to access reliable Starlink satellite communication capability throughout the County. (F-3)
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R3Page 103That all fire, Sheriff’s Department, and Office of Emergency Services (OES) responding personnel within Lake County undergo training to recognize the unique behavior issues that develop in severely stressed and injured livestock to help ensure the responders’ safety and the animals’ survival and welfare. (F-6)
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R4Page 103That the Emergency Response Guide in-preparation by the fire services be finalized and distributed widely within County government, law enforcement, and relevant animal welfare groups. (F-6)
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R5Page 103That Lake County Animal Care and Control draft a Large Animal Response Annex for the County Emergency Operations Plan to be presented to the Board of Supervisors. (F-9)
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R6Page 103That Lake County Animal Care and Control develop operational procedures that address its responses to large-animal injury incidents to be presented to the Board of Supervisors. (F-9)
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R7Page 103That the Board of Supervisors raise the starting salary of a veterinarian for Animal Care and Control and/or institute a signing/relocation bonus to attract suitable candidates. (F-10)
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R8Page 103That Lake County Care and Control reactivate its LEAP program so that it can be activated by first responders during emergencies. (F-11) Page | 102 2024-2025 Lake County Civil Grand Jury Final Report RESPONSES Pursuant to Penal Code § 933.05 (a)(b)c), the following responses are required: Lake County Board of Supervisors