Navajos expand program for testing toxic metals in livestock

The Navajo Veterinary and Livestock Program is expanding its free blood testing and examinations for cattle and sheep at least 2 years old that may have been exposed to toxic metals as a result of the Gold King Mine spill. The service is now open to all ranchers and farmers who have livestock living along the Animas or San Juan rivers and are concerned their animals consumed river water during the spill. The Aug. 5 spill released more than 3 million gallons of toxic metals into both rivers. Navajo Tribal Veterinarian Scott Bender said testing and examinations will be completed at the Navajo Veterinary Clinic in Shiprock. "We're opening it up to anybody who uses river water for livestock," Bender said...more