Kudos extended for retinal image tracking

Kudos extended for retinal image tracking

FORT COLLINS, COLO. —

A new process to track livestock through retinal imaging won the Colorado State University (CSU) Research Foundation's 2005 Technology Transfer Award.

The award went to Dr. Bruce Golden, a CSU professor of animal genetics and breeding, Dr. Bernard Rollin, professor of philosophy and bioethicist at CSU's veterinary college and Dr. Ralph Switzer, professor of finance and adjunct professor at the veterinary college and professor in the College of Business.

The technology has created a new device OptiReader, from Optibrand, which is a combination handheld computer and digital video camera to image retinal vascular patterns. The technology provides a method of verifying the source, location and ownership of live animals and identifying those animals at slaughterhouses.

State budget would benefit WSU

PULLMAN, WASH. —

If Washington Governor's Christine Gregoire's proposed budget is approved, Washington State University's veterinary school stands to gain.

The new budget allows a tuition increase to benefit the school's budget. In the past, the state hiked tuition and simultaneously cut state funding.

This year's budget calls for additional money for the veterinary college, especially in light of budget shortfalls after ending a collaborative agreement with Oregon State University's veterinary program.

Agroterrorism talk tops meeting agenda

AMES, IOWA —

Two Iowa State University (ISU) veterinarians say this country is not prepared for an agricultural terrorist attack in the form of a contagious livestock disease.

About 700 people attended the Kansas City meeting that was co-sponsored by the FBI and America Joint Terrorism Task Force.

Dr. James Roth, ISU's Clarence Hartley Covault Distinguished Professor in Veterinary Medicine and director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health, and Dr. Scott Hurd, associate professor of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, addressed attendees.

"The livestock industry is vulnerable to the use of a foreign animal disease as a terrorist weapon," Roth says.

Veterinarian indicted for murder

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS —

A grand jury indicted a veterinarian for the murder of her husband.

Wendi Mae Davidson faces the charges as well as two counts of evidence tampering. She allegedly administered euthanasia solution to her husband. She is free on $50,000 bail.