Mystery Surrounds Death of 19 Cattle Near Keene
Steve Hallstrom
Special to The Farmer
KEENE, N.D. - The sudden, unexplained death of 19 cattle on a ranch near Keene has triggered an investigation, though preliminary findings have yet to establish a clear cause. McKenzie County officials are currently providing support while awaiting autopsy results that could take several days.
McKenzie County Emergency Services Manager Karolin Jappe confirmed the county’s role is strictly support and assistance. “Our job is to provide support for our residents and the oil companies, primarily helping to find out what happened,” Jappe explained, clarifying that the county does not make final decisions or rulings in cases like this.
The deceased cattle, owned by Lance Sorenson, were found on land approximately a mile and a half north of Keene, along a creek line. Following the discovery, Mr. Sorenson sent the animals to Fargo for a full autopsy. Jappe says the time frame for receiving the results is 3 to 5 days after the cattle thaw for testing.
The McKenzie County Farmer has inquired about early speculation suggesting a potential connection to a nearby natural gas pipeline or industrial site. Jappe emphasized that no factual evidence currently links the deaths to any specific company or pipeline.
In a proactive measure for public safety, McKenzie County deployed air monitoring equipment to the site. The equipment, which has been operating for two nights, has detected no natural gas leaks or anything unusual in the air. Jappe stated the monitoring equipment was deployed for “the safety of people and other cattle in the area,” and it can be monitored remotely.
The situation first came to the attention of McKenzie County through an agricultural extension agent. While the county contacted one pipeline company, Ms. Jappe noted that the landowner and possibly the North Dakota Industrial Commission are responsible for contacting others.
For now, the mystery remains, and the community must wait for the definitive results from Fargo before the cause of the tragic loss of Mr. Sorenson’s cattle can be determined.
The McKenzie County Farmer is in the process of reaching out to Sorenson for more information and will continue to update this story. Please check back regularly for updates.