Half of the cows on farm killed by lightning strike

[chadtm80]

Beef, it's what's electrocuted

Lightning Strike Kills 9 Cows, 8 Calves
Pennsylvania Farm Loses Half Its Herd

UPDATED: 3:19 PM EDT May 27, 2004

BROGUE, Pa. -- A lightning strike on a York County, Pa., farm left a real shocker in its wake Tuesday, killing half the cows on the farm -- a loss valued at about $20,000.

Nine cows and eight calves owned by Glenn and Nancy Shaull died in a flash, literally.

The animals were struck by lightning Tuesday night on the couple's Brogue farm.

"It makes you sick," Nancy Shaull said.

"It hurts. No question, it hurts," Glenn Shaull said.

The Shaulls made the gruesome discovery Wednesday morning.

"I knew it was lightning, no other way," Glenn Shaull said.

Glenn Shaull said when it storms cattle bunch together, so when the lightning struck, the animals likely fell like dominoes.

"I'm surprised we didn't lose the whole herd," Nancy Shaull said.

Thirteen cows and eight calves remain. Some of the calves are still suckling, but their mothers were killed by the storm, and that means extra work for the Shaulls if they want these youngsters to survive.

"We have to get special feed. They have to eat," Nancy Shaull said.

Insurance money will likely cover the loss.

"Every time you see a storm coming, we shudder. You just don't know what's coming," Nancy Shaull said.

The killed cattle cannot be eaten. They will be disposed of Thursday.
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[Stephanie]

How sad!

[Lindaloo]

Sad and angered at this negligence.

[Stephanie]

Are they normally brought in during a strom?

[Lindaloo]

They should have been herded to shelter.

[WEATHER53]

Lightning is extraordinarily hot, very fast moving, and super electrically charged. The idea that people have been hit over and over again by a bolt and survived is complete, utter, baloney.

[Anonymous]

That is just so sad.