Livestock Emergency Response Planning (LERP)

Jul 07, 2025

By Heidi Carroll and Robin Salverson et.al

The scene of an accident is not the place to build your team! Several years ago, a semi-truck of Canadian cattle overturned and both humans and cattle sustained serious injuries. None of the first responders knew what to do with the cattle and none of the local veterinarians were available to euthanize the cattle. This resulted in a dangerous and chaotic situation. Similar stories have been told by first responders in South Dakota. Each day, more than 100,000 head of cattle are on the road. Accidents with animals on the road occur daily, and it is important that those traveling with the animals and responding to the scene of the accident know how to care for the animals.

What is the LERP program?

The LERP program is a training targeted at dispatchers, first responders, emergency managers, veterinarians, extension educators and others directly or indirectly involved in responding to vehicle accidents involving cattle and other animals. The program provides the education for emergency personnel to develop their own dispatch tree and emergency response plan when cattle are involved. Emergency responders will feel more prepared and knowledgeable if they are prepared for these situations.

Source : sdstate.edu

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