November 20, 2024
The City of Shamrock, Texas is facing a federal lawsuit after Kellen Allison Cattle Company and related businesses claimed city water caused the deaths of 650 cattle, leading to damages exceeding $1 million. Originally filed in Wheeler County state district court, the lawsuit was recently moved to federal court in Amarillo.
The suit alleges that the cattle began experiencing severe illness and death shortly after the plaintiffs started using the city’s water supply at their feeding operation in June 2024. The contamination is linked to an emergency water line crossing land once occupied by a carbon black plant, with claims that the water contained dangerous levels of sulfur (sulfates).
According to the plaintiffs, the death toll represents a loss of nearly 40% of the herd within two months, far surpassing the typical annual loss rate of 1-3%. The lawsuit also accuses the city of failing to maintain and monitor the pipeline properly, resulting in significant depreciation of the plaintiffs’ assets. Additionally, the contamination allegedly affected other cattle, leaving many sick.
While declining to comment on the lawsuit, the City of Shamrock referred the matter to its legal team, who have not yet issued a statement. The city is one of four defendants named in the case, which includes petroleum producers accused of contributing to the contamination.
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