Reporter-News Archives Saturday, March 29, 1997 Four cows gunned down in Callahan County By J.T. SMITH Farm Editor CROSS PLAINS - It has been an eerie sight to all motorists traveling State Highway 36 this week - three large dead cows just barely inside the fence only a few feet off the south edge of the road. Four cattle were shot some time Tuesday, said Callahan County Deputy Sheriff John Windham, who is investigating the case. The cattle were on the Twin Mountain Ranch. Three of the four died where they fell, about mid-way between Abilene and Cross Plains. "They all had bullet wounds," Windham said. The fourth animal was taken to a veterinarian and - as of Friday - appeared to stand a good chance of recovery. That animal was just lucky, Windham said, noting that the bullet entered behind the ear and exited above the eye. All four animals were pregnant females. The three dead cows had been expected to calve any day at the time they were shot. As far as leads, investigators knew little by Friday - other than that the animals had been shot. It remains to be determined whether this was a random, drive-by shooting by an individual or individuals no longer in the area, or if there is some other reason that the cattle were gunned down. "We really have nothing yet," Windham said. The cattle belonged to Kelly McLaughlin, a Callahan County rancher. Randy Carson, president of Abilene Livestock Auction, said that since all three big heifers were pregnant, their value likely would be in a range of $600 to $700 each with the current strong cattle market - even a bit more if they were fancy females. Carson said that would give the bred heifers a value of $2,000 or more as commercial females. With the additional injury and veterinary expense with the fourth animal, it certainly was an expensive shooting. Windham urges cattlemen to be on high alert to any strange vehicles or suspicious individuals on or near their property - especially carrying any firearms. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: Enter their email address below: texnews.com Reporter OnLine Local Sports Texas Sports Copyright ©1997, Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications