• 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
-
-
Man in crane at Texas college says he's armed
Police say the man climbed the 150-foot crane late Monday morning.
-
Obama to honor fallen troops on Memorial Day
The president was to participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, and then commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
-
Dragon arrives at space station in historic first
Astronauts Donald Pettit and Andre Kuipers used the space station's robot arm to snare the Dragon after a few hours of extra maneuvering.
-
U.S. forecasters: 9 to 15 storms in hurricane season
Though this season isn't expected to be as busy as last year's above-average season, federal officials warned coastal residents to start stocking up on hurricane supplies and forming evacuation plans anyway.
- Alabama students below national average in reading
- Alabama 10th highest in rate of injury deaths
- Gen .Wheeler's Pond Spring home reopens Saturday
- State memorial to War on Terror victims updated
- Seafood industry fighting for life on coast
-
Military leaders, Clinton push for sea treaty
The United States is the only major nation that has refused to sign the treaty, which has been endorsed by 161 countries and the European Union.
- More State and Nation Headlines
-
Man in crane at Texas college says he's armed
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
