Oregon L.O.W.F.I

Archive for October 5th, 2009

A gruesome and sad story, with Fortean elements, from South Dakota. Bridge water South Dakota became overwhelmed by the stench of over 44 tons of rotting bison meat. The owner of the meat processing plant abandoned his business, leaving behind tons of frozen bison meat. Electricity was shut off for nonpayment, though the meat stayed frozen through the severe Dakota winters. When spring and summer arrived, the meat thawed. It didn’t just thaw; it literally “liquified.” The stink of decomposing bison flesh was worse than “rotten [human] bodies” commented mayor Barattini:

Some said the scent was like road kill. The mayor said he spent two tours of duty in Vietnam and could not recall smelling anything as bad.

“This is worse than rotten bodies,” Barattini said.

Going in a Fortean, slightly esoteric direction, we can say all those bison were sacrificed for nothing; the symbolism of the bison as an animal of strength, abundance and nurturing gift to indigenous peoples is contrasted with the legacy of man’s greed and disrespect for both non-human and human beings. Ilan Parente, the man responsible for leaving behind the rotting bison meat in Bridge water started another meat business in Minnesota called Noah’s Ark Processors. A strange name for a meat processing place. Another little Fortean item is the fact the bison meat was Kosher — and to be sold as pet food.

Days of clean-up, expenses, faulty meat processing plant with taxes owed, as well as a house, and lawsuits in the past for violations — with little word from the owner, who only had this to say:

“I feel bad for the people of Bridgewater who had to live with the smell. But that’s really where the extent of my feeling bad goes. It wasn’t ever a health hazard to anyone,” he told The Daily Republic of Mitchell in July.

Source
AOL News: 44 Tons of Rotting Meat Caused Big Stink

Image (public domain): Wildlife North America