Oconee County animal shelter accepting adoption applications for orphaned cow

The Oconee County Animal Shelter will begin accepting applications for those interested in adopting an orphaned cow whose mother was killed when it was struck by a vehicle near Highway 24.

Jimmy Watt, an Oconee County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said South Carolina Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to investigate collision that occurred on Highway 24 near Westminister two weeks ago. When troopers arrived, Watt said they located a cow that had been struck by several vehicles.

Watt said the calf was standing next to its mother, which is when animal control took possession of the cow. Since then the cow has been staying at an animal shelter in Oconee County.

“No one came forward to claim ownership of the offspring after five days and the offspring has been cared for since that time by Animal Control Officers,” Lt. Mark Lyles of the sheriff’s office who oversees the animal shelter. “There has been some interest in the offspring by citizens that we have spoken with and after looking at some possibilities and ideas, the sheriff’s office decided, in the interest of fairness to everyone, to take applications beginning next Monday for a three day period and then have a drawing to determine who will adopt this offspring.”

Those interested in adopting the cow can submit their adoption applications beginning Dec. 7 until Dec. 9 at the animal shelter on Sandifer Boulevard in Seneca, Watt said. All applications must be done in person, and applicants must provide their name, address and phone number and be residents of Oconee County.