It was no April Fool’s joke … on Saturday, Farmington Police Department reported a mooving experience including an attack by a domestic “cow” (likely a bull) on a 43-year-old woman.
The Maine police department reported that they received a call at 3:00 p.m. on Friday from a woman who had been injured by the loose “male bovine” (still, not a cow). The Farmington Police Department, North Star Ambulance, and animal control responded to the call.
After arriving, officers were told that the jogger was lifted off the ground by the animal’s horns, escaping into the trees. According to the report, the patient’s injuries were limited to a small laceration that required stitches.
Locals commenting on the police department’s social media posts stated that a video of a cow (bull) and pig wandering near the Whistle Stop Trail was posted on a private, local, news page. Posters also suggested that people keep letting the livestock out when the owner is not around.
The police department’s release noted that the owner of the loose animals was contacted and both the bull and pig were secured. Meanwhile, the owner’s identity is being withheld pending possible charges.
States within the U.S. have statues that specifically address estray livestock and the fencing required to keep them confined. While many states in the West are considered “fence out” or “open range” states, in states where populations are more concentrated, “fence in” laws typically apply.
In Maine, state law reads“. An owner or keeper of an animal may not allow that animal to enter onto or remain on the property of another or unattended on any local, county or state road or highway after the owner or keeper has been informed by a law enforcement officer, authorized employee of the department or animal control officer that that animal was found on that property or on that local, county or state road or highway.”
»Related: Meet the Australian farmer who raises bulls for PBR
