Authorities say a tractor-trailer rolled over with 44 cows inside on I-84 early Thursday morning.
The tractor-trailer went off the Exit 10 off ramp on westbound I-84 in Newtown.
Based on the injuries sustained by the cows and the risk of exposure to hazardous conditions resulting from the rollover, a state veterinarian was contacted about the injured animals and made the decision to euthanize some of them, Connecticut State Police say.
The state Department of Agriculture and Department of Transportation were called to the scene. The Department of Energy & Environmental Protection was also on the scene due to a fuel spill.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture said that 13 of the 44 animals involved in the accident are deceased, seven following the accident and six were humanely euthanized.
Official said that the dairy cows were being transported from Maine to Ohio. The department, along with DOT and state police, worked to move the remaining animals to a secure location.
All westbound lanes of I-84 were temporarily shut down, but have since reopened.