• NM calf fitted with prosthetic legs
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Meadow the yearling Black Angus calf spends her days frolicking in northeastern New Mexico’s cattle country, all with her prosthetic hind legs.
The bucolic scene seemed impossible just a few months ago, when rancher Nancy Dickenson and her stepdaughter, Martha, found Meadow on a neighbor’s property. The 11-month-old calf had lost her back hooves and half of her ears to severe frostbite.
The Dickensons have rescued dozens of animals and wanted to give Meadow a chance to walk normally again. They located the calf’s owner and bought Meadow, and convinced veterinarians and students at Colorado State University to help her.
Doctors amputated a portion of Meadow’s hind legs in August and fitted her with the prosthetics, a rare procedure done on livestock typically destined for the food supply. Meadow is believed to be the first bovine calf fitted with double prosthetics, Colorado State veterinarian Dr. Robert Callan said. He based his claim on discussions with other veterinarian clinics and schools.
Nancy Dickenson said the family decided to pay what she expects will cost “thousands of dollars” for the procedures because Meadow has become another family pet.
Meadow, named for the spot she was found, returned home to New Mexico last month. Dickenson said she doesn’t want any visitors at Twin Willows Ranch near Ocate while Meadow recuperates. These days, Meadow is running and grazing, and making friends with goats in a nearby pen, Dickenson said.
“She’s just so precious,” she said. “A few people have asked ’Is she going to be beef?’ and I said ’Are you kidding? This is my newest baby.”’
• Police: Drunk AL man pulled over, confesses theft
DECATUR, Ala. (AP) — Officials say a Falkville man gave deputies more than they asked for when he was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.
Sheriff Greg Bartlett tells WAFF Tuesday that 48-year-old Dewaine Elton Ott pulled out in front of a deputy in the early morning hours of Halloween and the official observed the truck weaving in and out of lanes heading to I-65.
Bartlett said the deputy pulled the truck over and during the stop Ott stumbled out of the driver’s seat and yelled, “I just stole this truck!”
Ott was arrested for theft of the motor vehicle and several traffic violations, including DUI.
The truck was stolen from the Morgan County Commission District 3 Shop.
State and Nation
WEDNESDAY'S WEIRD NEWS: November 4, 2009.
- State and Nation
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Sinkhole shuts down westbound I-20 in Alabama
Westbound traffic is being routed off Interstate 20 in eastern Alabama because of a sinkhole that's formed in the highway in Calhoun County.
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Embalmer takes speech case to Mass. high court
Troy Schoeller admits he could have chosen his words more carefully when he talked to a reporter about bodies he worked on as an embalmer at a funeral home.
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Los Angeles school reopens amid sex abuse scandal
The teachers union president assailed the reassignment of teachers as a stunt, about 100 parents and students blasted the move, and some of the new teachers needed a bit of help from their charges.
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APNewsBreak: Powell had 'incestuous' images
Authorities say the images depicted "incestuous" sex and were disconcerting enough that they prompted a psychologist to recommend that Powell undergo an intensive psychosexual evaluation.
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NYC sewage plant to offer Valentine's Day tours
It may not smell like a rose but a New York City sewage plant is offering tours for lovers on Valentine's Day.
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Mississippi bill renames Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America
State Rep. Steve Holland says the measure aims to mock anti-immigrant legislation that he finds mean-spirited and insignificant.
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AG: Mortgage deal offers relief to Alabama borrowers
The deal also puts a stop to many of the bad behaviors that contributed to the mortgage mess in Alabama and across the U.S.
- States, Feds to announce mortgage settlement
- Unemployment aid applications near a 4-year low
- Remlap woman dies after struck by car after crash
- More State and Nation Headlines
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Sinkhole shuts down westbound I-20 in Alabama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
