50 sheep are found dead in canal near Wellton

Deputies from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office found a large number of sheep dead or injured at the Main Canal in WelltonMohawk Friday morning.

According to spokesperson Alfonso Zavala, the incident happened on East County 13th Street and South Avenue 26E, where deputies met with the reporting party who told them that he had found more than 100 sheep in the canal.

Zavala said the sheep had been grazing in the area of South Avenue 27E and somehow had got loose. More than 50 sheep were found dead or injured.

Due to the severe nature of this incident, the sheriff’s office contacted the Department of Agriculture Animal Services, and livestock officers were sent from Phoenix to investigate the incident.

“The sheriff’s office is also working closely with the Arizona Game and Fish (Department), along with the Bureau of Land Management,” Zavala said.

Zavala added that the Yuma County Health Department has also been notified, and it has contacted the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality.

The owner of the sheep has been contacted, and the incident remains under investigation.

Elston Grubaugh, manager of the WelltonMohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, which is responsible for the op-

eration and maintenance of the canal, said that it worked with the sheriff’s office to remove all of the sheep from the canal.

He said that WMIDD also notified all of the downstream water users and informed them of the incident so they could take the necessary precautions.

As for the water, Grubaugh explained that for hay or grass-type crops, there shouldn’t be any problems.

However, farmers who are growing produce will be taking water samples for the next few days checking for bacteria, and treating it at the site before using it to irrigate.

“It is the normal protocol for this type of situation,” Grubaugh said.

Anyone with any information concerning this investigation is asked to contact the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office at (928) 783-4427 or 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.

Readers can also visit them at www.yumacountysheriff.org to submit an anonymous tip.