Cows headed to slaughter make a run for it, get amnesty

NEW JERSEY -- Two cows destined to take a trip to the slaughterhouse managed to bust out of their Montvale trailer and lead authorities on a wild chase, nearly causing multiple traffic accidents and closing roadways in the process.

Now instead of living their days in the big pasture in the sky, the cows will be grazing on a picturesque Bergen County farm.

The two cows were purchased Tuesday by a Montvale resident and were to be taken to Paterson for slaughter on Wednesday, according to Tyco Animal Control officer Carol Tyler. The trailer on the resident's property couldn't hold the 250-300 lbs. animals, and by Tuesday night they were causing chaos on Upper Saddle River and Chestnut Ridge roads, according to authorities. Drivers were forced to swerve around them, and roads were closed during the night-time escape.

A search of the area quickly led police and animal control officers to the female brown cow, where it was cornered into a trailer off Chestnut Ridge Road. But the bull remained elusive under the cover of darkness. He was finally spotted near the Garden State Parkway Wednesday and surrendered without incident.

"It was quite the chase for quite some time," Carol said. "They're not easy to catch."

The animals now have a considerably safer living situation as a result of their daring dash.

"They are now over at Abma's Farm where they will live out their lives," Carol said. "It's a happy ending."

(NJ.com - Oct 17, 2013)