The case in summary: A cow got a hook in the eye from an electric fence while she was grazing in the mountains. The farmer claims the hook came from an electric fence that was not connected to electricity at a cabin in the area. Current fences require frequent supervision, in addition the current must always be on. Therefore, such electric fences are illegal to use in this way, according to Astri Ham, head of department at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Both the farmer and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority say that the use of intermediate fences in grazing areas is an increasing problem. Erik Helli in Norway’s Cabin Association says it is tragic that such things happen and that it is important that cabin owners take care of the animals in the area. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – It looked brutal, says farmer Lage Ranheim. Last week he got a picture of one of his cows grazing in a mountain area in Nord-Aurdal in Valdres. In the picture, you could see that the cow had gotten a hook in the eye. The hook came from an insulator for an electric fence. – It was firmly stuck in the eye lid of the cow, says the farmer. – One gets pissed off, scared and frustrated. One understands that the animal has been in terrible pain. Illegal The farmer believes the hook belonged to an electric fence that stood around a cabin in the grazing area. – It is very serious. There is a reason why this type of fence is prohibited from being used in this way, says Ranheim. Current fences often require supervision, in addition they must always be connected to electricity, according to the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Therefore, it is not permitted to use such fences around cabins. – I took a round of our grazing area and counted ten to twelve cabins that were fenced in with electric fence. It was only at one of the cabins that the power was actually on, he claims. Lage Ranheim operates with milk and meat production and is dependent on being able to keep the animals on pasture. He also believes that there is room for everyone in the mountains, but that one must look after one another. Photo: Stine Bækkelien / news The reason why electric fences must be connected to electricity is, among other things, so that the animals do not lose respect for the fence. – The animals understand when the fence has no current. Then they like to stand there and stretch, climb over, and maybe hook a foot into the thread. – If you stretch the thread far enough, it becomes almost like a rubber band, he says. This is the insulator that attaches to the eye lid of the cow. In the black plastic part in the middle, there is usually a screw that has been attached to a post, while the hooks on the sides hold the wire in place. Photo: Stine Bækkelien / news In the end, the insulator can break, and it can happen quickly. If one is extremely unlucky, the hook can get stuck in the animal, explains Ranheim. – That is what has happened here, he believes. – Space for everyone – It is tragic that such things happen, says Erik Helli of Norway’s Cabin Association. He understands that cabin owners want to fence in their cabin to protect possessions and valuables, but believes it is important to take care of the animals. – The cabins have a different standard now than 20–30 years ago. Many people want to fence off their plot of land, but if one is going to do it, it is important to do it according to the regulations. – We have no problem understanding that the animals benefit from walking in the mountains in the summer, but the cabin owners must also be allowed to be able to fence in their area, as long as it is done in the right way, says Erik Helli of Norway’s cabin association. Photo: Roar Berntsen / news Helli believes that there is plenty of room for both people, cattle and cabins in the mountains, but that one must take care of one another. – It must be possible to find good solutions. There should be room for everyone. – I have not spoken to many cabin owners who do not want livestock in the immediate vicinity. It has to do with culture, but not least nurturing the cultural landscape. Increasing problem Ranheim, who has been involved in milk and meat production for over 30 years, says open field grazing is very important to get the business going. For three months his animal walks in the mountains. This summer he released 35 cows. The cow is well looked after in the barn at home on the farm. It seems to have gone well with ho. Photo: Stine Bækkelien / news He says that the level of conflict is low in the area where he has animals, but he believes that one problem in particular has become greater during the three decades he has had animals on the mountain. – There are only more and more of illegal fences. In addition to barbed wire or wire fencing that is lying down, he says. This is also confirmed by Astri Ham, head of department at the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. – The use of intermediate fences around cabins is an increasing problem, she says. Head of department in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Astri Ham, says they receive several messages and pictures of animals sitting on plastic netting or electric fences around cabins. If you want, and can put up a fence at the cabin, she believes that you should put up a permanent fence. Photo: Tordis Gauteplass / news According to him, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority receives many reports and pictures of, among other things, sheep stuck in plastic netting or electric fences around cabins. Needs inspection and care The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for supervising animal welfare and administers the Act on Animal Welfare. It is the person who has put up a fence who is responsible for ensuring that animals are not injured by this, Ham tells. – Necessary, preferably daily, supervision of current fences must be carried out. This can be difficult for cabin owners to follow up, and we therefore did not allow such fences around cabins, she says. – If you want a fence around the cabin, we believe that you should put up a permanent fence. It is important to bear in mind that these also need inspection and care, as all fences pose a possible danger to animals. news is not aware of who owns the electric fence on which the cow was injured. Happy ending Despite the fact that there were millimeters from going crazy with the cow, everything seems to have gone well. – The vet got the hook out and had good faith the night we picked up the cow. It looks like we got the hang of it, says Ranheim. The cow, which does not have a name, but the number 1900, stood alone in the barn and longed for the herd on the mountain while she waited to be reported healthy. Photo: Stine Bækkelien / news – Would you say she was lucky? – Yes, of course it’s luck, says the farmer. The cow was left in the barn for several days before she was declared healthy and allowed to return to the herd on the mountain. Hi! Do you have any thoughts about the case you have read? Or do you have tips for other things I should look at? Feel free to send me an email! For the record: Lage Ranheim is related to someone employed at news Innlandet. Those concerned have not been involved in the work on this case. Published 16.08.2024, at 14.01
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The cow came home from open field grazing with a hook from an electric fence in its eye – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
