State police just issued this press release. It didn’t happen in the Merrimack Valley, but it’s a good story, so I figured I would post it here.
Today at 10:29 am, Troopers from the State Police Barracks in Springfield responded to reports of cows walking on Route 91 South, near Exit 8, in Springfield. Upon arrival, the Troopers located two heifers, estimated to weigh approximately 500 pounds each, walking in and out of the travel lanes. The investigation revealed that a latch on a trailer that was hauling the animals to Enfield, Conn., had become dislodged. The cows then escaped into slow-moving traffic.
To ensure the safety of the motoring public as well as the safety of the animals, Troopers subsequently shut down Route 91 South in order to remove the animals to a safe location.
The process of removing the cows from the highway was aided by a motorist who himself was stuck in the traffic backup created by the animals. The motorist, who was wearing a cowboy hat and cowboy boots, apparently was particularly well-versed in handling these types of animals. The cowboy motorist, who did not make his name known, lassoed one heifer, and then the other, and was able to then re-corral each animal back into the trailer from which they had escaped.
Troopers at the scene were additionally assisted by the Environmental Police and the Springfield Police animal control officer.
Route 91 South was closed for approximately a half-hour to safely remove the animals from the road.
