RAYNHAM – A “very aggressive” 1,300-pound bull that escaped while being transported to a slaughterhouse caused a multi-car crash on a busy Massachusetts highway and was ultimately shot by police.
Around 9 a.m. Monday, several people called 911 after the large black bull was spotted running across Jennings Drive, near Elm Street East in Raynham.
Bull Escape in Raynham
Mathieu Farms workers were loading the bull into a truck to take him to the slaughterhouse when he became “enraged” and escaped.
According to police, the bull ran through several barriers, including electric fences, and jumped over a six-foot-high berm before escaping from the farm.
Before officers could arrive, the bull ran onto I-495, causing a three-car crash. One driver was taken to the hospital after the crash.
After the bull ran into the woods, he ended up in the water of Lake Nippenicket.
Raynham Police Shoot Charging Bull
The bull swam for a while, but when he saw the officers and farm workers on the bank, he attacked them.
An officer shot the bull several times, eventually shooting him in the leg with a rifle.
Due to the bull’s injuries and aggression, the farm owner was forced to put the animal to sleep.
“I want to commend our brave officers who put themselves in harm’s way to prevent a bad situation from getting worse,” said Raynham Police Chief David LaPlante. “Faceting a 1,300-pound charging bull is not something you go into your shift thinking it’s going to happen, but our officers were able to respond and effectively handle the situation and prevent further injury and destruction.”
