10:44 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 23, 2004

From KING 5 Staff and Wire Reports

KING Three cows on the Koopman farm in Enumclaw, Wash. died after being splashed with a red liquid that appeared to have been a toxic substance.

ENUMCLAW, Wash. - The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday afternoon that tests on the toxic substance that killed three cows at an Enumclaw dairy show it is a "strong oxidizing chromium compound."

It did not say what the compound is typically used for or how it might have gotten on the cows. It is known that the compound can be used in glass cleaner.

The FDA said there was no risk from the milk from the dairy and farmer John Koopman was relieved to hear he can start shipping the milk again. Since Friday, he has had to dump some $17,000 to $20,000 worth of milk.

Still he had no idea who did this or why.

"I got scared at times but all in all it was a good think - we helped protest the public from this kind of stuff," Koopman said.

KING John Koopman

Earlier, the FBI said there was no evidence of terrorism—international or domestic—in the poisoning of 10 cows. Agent Patrick J. Adams in Seattle said the investigation is looking at former employees or anyone else who might have had a grudge.

Dairy farmer John Koopman said he found a sticky red substance June 6 on the backs of cows who were having trouble standing.