AR-News: (U.S.) criminal charges possible re rodeo bulls

[Mary Finelli]

RODEO CONTRACTOR IN HOT WATER OVER IMPORTED BULLS
Cow-Calf Weekly, Clint Peck, April 16, 2004


A Canadian rodeo contractor faces criminal charges for importing 28 rodeo 
bulls into the U.S. Greg Kesler, Kesler Rodeo Ltd., is being investigated 
for allegedly hauling the animals from his base near Calgary to a rodeo in 
Pocatello, ID, over the weekend of March 20.

In May 2003, the U.S. government placed a ban on all shipments of live 
cattle from Canada after a case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) 
was discovered in Alberta. Canada, in turn, prohibited northbound shipments 
of live U.S. cattle after a case of the disease was found in the state of 
Washington in December.

The Kesler bulls have been placed under quarantine in the Helena, MT, area 
pending further investigation by the Montana Department of Livestock (MDL), 
USDA and the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. The animals 
currently present no human or animal health risk, assure MDL officials. Greg 
Kesler also lists Helena as a place of residence.

Marc Bridges, executive secretary for the Montana Board of Livestock, says 
the bulls apparently entered the U.S. at the remote border crossing at Del 
Bonita in northwestern Montana. It's believed the bulls were commingled with 
a load of rodeo horses when presented for entry at the Del Bonita crossing. 
It's unclear whether the truck was inspected by customs agents at the 
border. Once the shipment arrived in Pocatello, rodeo cowboys apparently 
recognized some of the bulls and alerted Idaho brand authorities of their 
possible Canadian origin.

Idaho Brand Board officials immediately contacted Bridge's department on 
March 22, and he ordered the bulls returned to Montana for impoundment and 
further investigation.

Bridges says the state charges against Kesler include transporting livestock 
into and through Montana without a health certificate or import permit, and 
crossing county and state lines without proper documentation. More serious 
are violations of federal customs declaration laws and USDA/Animal and Plant 
Health Inspection Service temporary rules banning international trade in 
ruminant livestock.

It's up to USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to decide 
disposition of the bulls, which are estimated to be worth about $4,000 each. 
If refused re-entry into Canada, they will have to be slaughtered and 
properly disposed of in the U.S. No part of the animals will be allowed to 
enter the food chain, Bridges says.

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