Dead longhorn found on Oklahoma State fraternity lawn the day before championship game with Texas

Police say a dead longhorn cow was found on the lawn of an Oklahoma State University fraternity on Friday, the day before the school's team plays the University of Texas Longhorns in the Big 12 championship game.

Police were notified of the dead animal on the FarmHouse fraternity lawn just after 6:30 a.m., according to Stillwater Police Officer TJ Low.

According to the campus newspaper The O'Colly, an expletive had been cut into the side of the carcass and the stomach had been cut open.

“It's a very cruel crime to commit, especially right before the Big 12 championship,” Low told The Oklahoman. “Nothing is worth doing this kind of nonsense.”

The fraternity, which was founded in 1905 by agriculture students, said in a statement it was cooperating with police in its investigation.

“We are as sickened and surprised by this incident as our colleagues on campus,” the statement on social media said. “It is disheartening to see the disregard for animal welfare shown in this situation.”

The fraternity's national organization, FarmHouse Fraternity, said it is aware of the situation and is cooperating with police and university investigations.

“FarmHouse has a zero-tolerance policy toward animal cruelty, property damage or conduct that violates state and/or local law,” the organization said.

Oklahoma State University said in a statement that it is “shocked by the disturbing display of animal cruelty … at an off-campus location near a fraternity house.”

The university said both the Stillwater Police Department and the university's Office of Student Support and Conduct are investigating and that “appropriate action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.”