Investigators probe mysterious deaths of livestock

An initial investigation into the sudden deaths of hundreds of livestock in a Central China village shows respiratory systems of the dead livestock were damaged, according to a local government announcement, Xinhua News Agency reported on Thursday.

The local government has organized physical checks for the villagers, and no abnormalities have been found, the report said.

A total of 410 pigs and 122 dogs were found dead on Monday in Dongtun village, Yanshi city, causing speculation among villagers that the deaths were caused by exhaust from nearby chemical factories.

Yanshi's bureau for animal husbandry sent samples of the dead animals to an animal lab at Henan University of Science and Technology for testing, and the result shows the corpses’ respiratory systems were damaged.

The local government also invited experts to check production and pollution discharges of nearby factories, and criminal investigation experts are searching for clues, according to the report.