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LIFE

Heifer hoofs it down the interstate

Friday, August 26, 2011
(Updated 2:58 pm)
By Joseph Rodriguez
Staff Writer

GREENSBORO -- Police officers got to try out their cowboy skills earlier today when a cow escaped from a transporter.

The escape started on the eastbound Interstate 40 exit ramp onto U.S. 421 about 11 a.m.

Officers tried for about an hour to capture the animal, but eventually owner Kenneth Gauldin Jr. gave officers permission to take down the animal in a wooded area between I-40 and Sharpe Road between Williow Road and East Lee Street.

Gauldin's wife, Kim, said her husband was taking the animal from their Shady Creek Farm in Pelham to sell in Siler City when the cow escaped through a side door.

"What disturbs me," she said, "is that a city the size of Greensboro does not have a tranquilizer gun."

She says they lost between $600 and $1,000 on the animal.

Accompanying Photos

Joseph Rodriguez (News & Record)

Photo Caption: Juan Perez stopped to help and grabbed a long extension cord to try and lasso the animal just off the highway ramp near MLK Jr. Blvd.

Additional Photos

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whyus

August 26, 2011 - 1:48 pm EDT

Maybe if it was a bear they would let it mooooove back to where it came from.

fisher

August 26, 2011 - 2:20 pm EDT

"What disturbs me," she said, "is that a city the size of Greensboro does not have a tranquilizer gun."

Oh, now it's our fault. Shouldn't she own a tranquilizer gun in order to keep the burden of responsibility on the owner of the animal?

Georgeatrest

August 27, 2011 - 2:19 am EDT

I don't think these people have the time to use a gun like that at this time.

laughing

August 26, 2011 - 3:38 pm EDT

in the additional pictures, does that officer have his pistol drawn??? If so that is real funny!!

Soccer Mom

August 26, 2011 - 4:43 pm EDT

Why couldn't they just use a Taser? hmmm...

The FNP

August 26, 2011 - 5:04 pm EDT

A Taser on an animal that size would probably just make it mad, which would probably cause more problems. Also, a tranquilizer sized for a raccoon probably would not work on an animal that size either, so really it seems to be a problem of not having the right tool for the job.

countryboy

August 27, 2011 - 11:48 am EDT

A taser would not get it to medium rare....and again...the right tool for the job is a LOCK ON THE TRAILER.

Bleth

August 26, 2011 - 6:12 pm EDT

Face palming and sighing. In dealing with a large animal such as a cow. Please get a wet towel, several people surround the animal. Toss the wet towel over it's head so vision is blinded. The animal then calms down. A makeshift leash can be fastened around it's neck. Make sure the animal can breathe by uncovering it's nose but keep the eyes covered until the animal is under control. Honestly deadly force was not needed in this situation, just common sense and a bit of experience.

sparkeysig

August 26, 2011 - 8:42 pm EDT

Wet towel ??????? Get the grill. (:-)

retiree

August 27, 2011 - 8:10 am EDT

I guess you have experience in this type of thing. Does the cow know to stop and be still why the people with wet towels approach them? That idea is . . .well, all wet.

countryboy

August 27, 2011 - 11:47 am EDT

Or try this...the next time you transport an animal that is big enough to kill a motorist on the roadway ...SECURE IT IN THE TRAILER. The operator should be charged with failure to secure the load. The only "wet towel" in this discussion is people trying to blame everyone but the owner. In a related story...there are some good beef recipes in todays food section.

moomoo

August 26, 2011 - 9:47 pm EDT

How do you think you're going to get close enough to a cow running down the highway to throw a wet towel over it's eyes and hold the towel on? And put a "leash" on it's neck......... you don't lead a cow unless it's trained, you use a rope and hold on for dear life.
Comment on something you know something about, you don't sound like a farmer to me.

Georgeatrest

August 27, 2011 - 2:21 am EDT

Poor cow!

The_Doctor

August 27, 2011 - 12:12 pm EDT

I had the same initial reaction. I've sometimes been called the "cow whisperer" for my ability to gain their immediate trust. I grew up around cows and have a special affinity for them. In some ways, they're better than some people.

The_Doctor

August 27, 2011 - 12:11 pm EDT

I wonder if the cow was processed by a local butcher and the meat distributed to a homeless shelter?

Linus_61

August 27, 2011 - 5:22 pm EDT

How stupid is this state??they have tasers for people but they don't have tranquilizer guns for animal;s???

Linus_61

August 27, 2011 - 5:22 pm EDT

wah wah wah-no brains-no bull

billhpt200909

August 27, 2011 - 6:32 pm EDT

Sorry for the animal who was loose in a frightening and unfamiliar environment. As for the owner's wife who blamed the city for not having the right equipment to handle the problem she and her husband created, that is bull manure on her part. Perhaps they'll make sure to properly equip their trailers in the future with ropes, restraints, and better locks. Maybe they might even carry their own dart guns and shovels. Hope the city sends them a bill for the cost of the roundup and removal.

sunlover

August 29, 2011 - 8:41 am EDT

You took the words right out of my mouth.

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