The 1,300-pound animal barreled through electrified fences, ran across a highway and swam through a lake, authorities said.
On Monday, a bull destined for a Massachusetts slaughterhouse briefly evaded its fate after crashing through electrified fences, leaping over a berm, running across an interstate, and swimming through a lake, according to authorities.
The bull, weighing approximately 1,300 pounds, was fatally shot by police officers in Raynham, south of Boston, after it charged at them, according to a police statement.
The incident began when workers at a nearby farm were loading the bull onto a truck bound for the slaughterhouse. Startled, the bull broke through several fences, including some that were electrified, and leaped over a 6-foot berm. It then ran onto Interstate 495, causing a three-vehicle collision. One driver was hospitalized as a result of the crash.
The bull then fled into nearby woods and entered Lake Nippenicket. Officers and farm staff saw it swimming from the shore. When the bull began to swim aggressively toward the group, an officer fired at it with a department-issued rifle, but the shots were ineffective in stopping the animal. The bull emerged from the water and charged at those on shore.
The officer fired several more shots, hitting the bull in the leg and disabling it. A brief video from the officer’s body camera captured the encounter. Since the officer’s rifle was not powerful enough to euthanize the bull, the farm’s owner used a hunting rifle to put it down.
“Facing a charging 1,300-pound bull is not something you expect during your shift, but our officers responded effectively to handle the situation and prevent further injury and damage,” said Police Chief David LaPlante.