Their primary concern is tick fever. a disease which could spread throughout the Southern United States at a potential cost of $1 billion per year in livestock losses. This disease is transmitted by a certain species of tick. which in turn is spread by strayed or smuggled cattle and other animals. These tick inspectors now have no authority to carry firearms. even though they patrol alone and on horseback through an area which is a smugglers paradise and has a very heavy flow of illegal traffic in a wide variety of commodities. including illegal aliens and drugs as well as livestock. The socalled "Kelly Report" prepared in 1978 for the Department of Agriculture recommended that tick Inspectors be allowed to carry firearms. noting that their work environment "would be considered combat conditions for a police department operating in a heavily populated urban center." The administration has asked th^." these inspectors be authorized to carry weapons for selfprotection. This legislation. which was introduced in the House by the distinguished and able Congressman from Texas.
Keywords matched
illegal aliens