This frightening accident happens more often than you think in Oklahoma

Storm season is at its peak here in Oklahoma and with the storms usually comes lightning. Many of us have a plan in place for the safety of our families and a small portion of our belongings, but the situation is usually not the same with animals left outdoors. Animals such as cattle, horses and other livestock face the unfortunate reality that they could be struck by lightning.

According to metoffice.org, “Lightning strikes the earth 1,400,000,000 times per year, or 44 times per second” around the world. It is considered one of the most common occurrences in nature. However, it is not an “unusual” idea for animals to be out in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Recently, following the storms moving through the central United States, many people’s animals have unfortunately died from lightning, including this family in Sterling, Oklahoma.

Many others also reported their own losses here in Oklahoma.

The comments originally came in response to a popular Facebook post from a South Dakota family who lost their mare to lightning a few days earlier.

Although there aren’t many scientific studies on animals struck by lightning, there are still reports of incidents where animals have had scorching, burned hair, and/or blood-filled orifices – all as a result of the lightning strike.

You might think that you could hide under a tree to provide shelter, but it’s actually one of the worst ideas for outdoor animals. Just like in this case in Florida, when lightning strikes a tree, the charge can actually affect the animals below. Because lightning actually strikes an area rather than a point, according to John Jensenius of the National Weather Service.

For outdoor animals, it’s best to seek shelter indoors, but we know how difficult this is for people with 200 or more head of cattle. Anyone thinking about keeping large animals or animals outdoors should consider ALL factors beforehand. And when you may Make sure you provide safe shelter for your large animals.