ROGERS Condition of emus prompts county officials to investigate
ROGERS -- Authorities are still investigating the deaths and injuries of emus at the Rogers Sale and Flea Market.
The large birds, which look similar to ostriches, were brought to the sale Friday to be sold as pets or for meat.
Passers-by alerted Sue Davidson, Columbiana County humane officer, when they noticed several of the animals were injured and others were lying motionless in a trailer used to haul them to the sale.
Condition: When Davidson and deputy sheriffs investigated they found eight dead birds in the trailer and several others near death. Many other birds were injured.
Davidson confiscated about 30 emus, which were taken to the Salem Humane Society shelter off U.S. Route 62 in Perry Township.
The birds were hauled to the sale by a New Wilmington, Pa., man.
Authorities are trying to determine who actually owns the animals.
Davidson said she thinks the birds had been kept in the trailer for a long period without food or water.
Anyone interested in adopting the emus as pets may call the humane society at (330) 337-8211.
The society also is seeking donations to help pay for the birds' feeding and veterinary care, Davidson said.