POULTNEY (AP) -- A Vermont college has euthanized one its farm oxen that have been at the center of an uproar following the college’s decision to process the animals into meat products following their retirement from the college’s farm.
Green Mountain College in Poultney said the ox, named Lou, was put down Sunday after a recurring injury to his hind leg continued to deteriorate.
Lou and another ox were retired this summer from the college’s working farm. The school planned to turn them into beef products to be served in the college dining hall.
That decision drew fire from animal rights activists who wanted the oxen spared and had found a sanctuary for them.
The college says Bill will stay at the school farm and receive care consistent with appropriate livestock practices.
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