Cows Gone Wild
by What to do if you see escaped livestock on a road.
Sometimes livestock escapes, a fence falls down, and they make their way to freedom. Perhaps following the smell of sweet clover blowing in from the east, or perhaps they just did not like the hue of their barn, or the rooster waking them too early.
We cheer as they make their way free from the slaughter yard, but roads, and highways are equally dangerous to them. Every year an unknown number of farm animals are hit and killed on roads, some even cause deadly traffic accidents for people. If you do a lot of driving on country roads, chances are you will come across some loose farm animals at some point or another. What should you do?
photo by Author, that’s my radio antenna in the picture.
If you live in the area, chances are you will recognize who owns the animals and can call them, or will know who to call to report stray livestock in your area. I suggest phoning around to neighbors before calling livestock control. I myself have animals and would rather have a neighbor call me to alert me that they are out, than have the authorities do it. Of course if you cannot find the owner, yes, call the authorities.
Chances are you will be on a drive where you do not know who owns the escapees. In this case you can approach the nearest farm house. Honk your horn to let them know you are there. You can usually tell if somebody is home or not fairly quick. If not you can leave a note or drive to the next house. If you still have no luck then make note of where you are and call the police or stop at the next town and contact a veterinarian who may know who handles the stray animals in that area.
photo by Author
After you have passed a herd of loose animals flash your headlights to warn oncoming traffic to slow down.
Do not chase the animals yourself. One time I had a bunch of well meaning city folk chase about 30 cows up my driveway. I don’t even own cows. Then they got confused and ran them down the other way, heading away from the actual place they should have been. They very easily could have caused an accident or got hurt themselves.
My wife and I came upon a mini herd of cattle who had made their escape shortly before dusk. This would put them at risk of being hit by an unsuspecting driver, being as cattle are big animals, an accident might even result in human fatalities. Luckily it was only on a quiet secondary highway.
One poor gal was holding up the rear, limping to keep up with the others. We went to the nearest farm house and alerted the person there, we left as they were headed down the opposite way to see if it was their cows. Their chance at freedom squashed, but at least they would not be hit by an oncoming semi truck, or cause an accident that could potentially kill a family driving home from the mountains at night.
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Post CommentDaisy Peasblossom
On July 30, 2009 at 9:49 am
Living in farming country, I’ve seen my share of bovine escapees. When I was a kid on the farm, we had a heifer that could jump like a deer–we were always having to go over to the neighbor’s to retrieve her.
OhSugar
On July 30, 2009 at 9:52 am
I definitely would try not to get near the herd. As you stated, they can cause serious accidents. I am happy they get to take a walk from their prison, but not in my directions:-) Nice
Lostash
On July 30, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Sound advice. Farmers will certainly appreciate it.
ken bultman
On August 1, 2009 at 12:47 am
Years ago when a motorist hit livestock on the road he owed the farmer. No so anymore. Still a highway menace. Good article and pics. Love your antenna.
Paul
On June 15, 2011 at 2:32 am
I would definitely escape as much as I could if I’m a cow
Thanks for the advice, though I didn’t actually encountered such thing. Who know I might see a herd blocking the street sometime soon.
Derek
On June 21, 2011 at 3:41 pm
I work on a farm raising cows and pigs and let me tell you, sometimes they do get out. We usually have someone always on the farm though so when they get out we know right away. Great blog though.
Jon
On July 8, 2011 at 6:19 am
I grew up in the country and have spent more than 1 occassion sitting in a traffic jam while the farmers tried to remove their livestock from the road. Lovely as they are, it can be a pain at times lol
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On July 13, 2011 at 10:15 am
I live in oklahoma and livestock gets out ALOT around here. Had some close calls on the high way.
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On July 14, 2011 at 12:12 pm
I remember in 1980 in Staten Island by the mall there was a petting zoo and the cows would get out every single week. This was aa suburban area. But you could turn the corner by the mall and there were cows and chickens and pigs in the street.
irs career
On July 14, 2011 at 3:54 pm
amazing pictures. I love coutryside
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On July 19, 2011 at 1:41 pm
Seeing any family of livestock’s along the road makes me happy and a bit scared. We can never tell, whether this animal is good or bad, right.?
Renie Cruz
On July 25, 2011 at 2:19 pm
I love this post and I enjoy reading it. I like to see cows when you are traveling. It is a kind of experiences of seeing them.
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On September 5, 2011 at 7:59 am
I live in the country in VA and see cows out of the street a lot!
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On September 16, 2011 at 8:08 am
It’s first time I have seen cows going wild! I am kind of animal freak (you can say) as I always love to collect as much information as I can especially about mammals, reptiles and birds and so far I haven’t seen a cow going wild. Though it seems strange happening but since it is an animal at last so nothing to get shock. Well around a herd this may be possible. However, you wrote it well especially for those who keep cows for some or the other reasons.