Associated Press
Updated: 5:19 p.m. ET Jan. 8, 2006
GREAT FALLS, Mont. - A cow that escaped a slaughterhouse dodged vehicles, ran in front of a train, braved the icy Missouri River and took three tranquilizer darts before being recaptured six hours later.
The black, 1,200-pound heifer jumped a gate at the packing plant at around 5 a.m. Thursday, authorities said.
The cow apparently wandered through residential areas for a time before police received reports at about 9:30 a.m. that it was in the middle of a busy intersection.
Police tried to catch the cow, and had her wedged between a stock trailer and a fence, but the heifer barreled through the fence toward the river, nearly being hit by an SUV.
With the police in pursuit, the cow ran toward the railroad tracks and darted in front of an oncoming locomotive. Crossing another road, the cow was nearly struck by a semi tractor-trailer.
"By then it was a madhouse," said police officer Corey Reeves. "People were coming out of the woodwork to see."
When police, animal control officers and slaughterhouse workers surrounded the cow in a park near the Missouri River, the cow jumped into the icy water. As she swam to the west bank of the river, Reeves said she sank lower in the water and was being swept downstream.
But the cow found a sandbar near the river's west bank and walked to shore.
Authorities tried unsuccessfully to shoot the cow with a tranquilizer gun three times.
Finally, slaughterhouse workers created a makeshift pen with metal panels that led to a stock trailer. The cow walked into the trailer at 11:45 a.m., authorities said.
The cow was taken back to the slaughterhouse, where it was put in a pen -- with a stronger fence.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
They're still gonna kill it!??
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2004 12:20 am Posts: 5198 Location: Connecticut Gender: Male
I spent a summer in Wisconsin when I was 19 or so, and worked at a small private slaughterhouse. It was the only job in town. It was old school there, they would shoot the cows in the head with a rifle, and cut it up right there on the farm. We'd cut up what was left at the plant into steaks, and the leftovers were put in a grinder to make ground beef.
I love a good steak, but it's hard not to feel bad for these animals a little. There was no mistreatment where I worked, but these animals know when it's their time. I once saw a pregnant cow, who had to be put down because she could no longer walk, get up and start hobbling away the second we got to the farm. It was the only slaughter I attended, and told my boss I'd quit if I had to go again. I wasn't against the practice, and had no problem with the way they ran their business. It was just too much for someone like me, who had never set foot on a farm before, nevermind attended a slaughter.
I imagine there's a farmer out there with a couple extra bucks who will adopt this cow.
Joined: Sun Oct 17, 2004 7:19 pm Posts: 39068 Location: Chapel Hill, NC, USA Gender: Male
Sandler wrote:
these animals know when it's their time.
This is how we get bad, stress hormones into our diet.
Cal Varnsen wrote:
I see your codes B
Don't you have any opinions about the news?
_________________ "Though some may think there should be a separation between art/music and politics, it should be reinforced that art can be a form of nonviolent protest." - e.v.
Last edited by ¡B! on Tue Jan 10, 2006 3:30 am, edited 1 time in total.
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:43 am Posts: 18418 Location: Anytown, USA Gender: Male
i see your codes B
_________________
stip wrote:
In five years, when you get laid and grow up, you should go back and read some of these posts and if you've turned into a decent person you'll realize how much of an asshole you sound like right now
Joined: Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:43 am Posts: 18418 Location: Anytown, USA Gender: Male
B wrote:
Cal Varnsen wrote:
I see your codes B
Don't you have any opinions about the news?
this is news?
heres my opinion....i would eat that fucker with mashed potatoes and some garlic bread.
_________________
stip wrote:
In five years, when you get laid and grow up, you should go back and read some of these posts and if you've turned into a decent person you'll realize how much of an asshole you sound like right now
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Don't you have any opinions about the news?
