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32 cows found poisoned, with ‘froth coming out of their mouths,’ in Utah arena

More than 30 cows were found poisoned at a Tooele equestrian and rodeo arena Wednesday morning, apparently after drinking water that someone had contaminated with what is suspected to be rat poison.

The cows’ owner believes someone deliberately poisoned the water in a trough at the Tooele Bit N’ Spur Riding Club arena, where the cows were being kept for use in group herding, an equestrian event.

Owner Michael Dow, of Tooele, said he found his 32 cows on Wednesday morning in various levels of distress. Some had their tongues hanging out, froth coming out of their mouths, and severe nasal discharge. Some were lying on their sides “with their legs sticking straight out,” Dow said.

“There are 10 that are really sick,” he said. “They might not make it.”

Dow said he found more than 150 marble-size blue pellets, which appeared to be rat poison pellets, in the cows’ trough. About a third were floating, but the rest had sunk and were dissolving in the water, he said.

Tooele police are investigating, but there is no security footage from the site and they have no leads, said Sgt. Jeremy Hansen.

Dow is offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of the culprit.

Anyone with information may call 435-882-8900.

Tribune reporter Nate Carlisle contributed to this report.