There’s a cow on the loose in Bradford, looking for a way back home in time for Christmas.
A Bradford resident, who would like to remain anonymous, living near 13th Line and 10th Sideroad, has been receiving frequent visits from the mysterious cow, now nicknamed Betsy.
Since Betsy’s first visit back in the summer, the resident has contacted local farms in the area, trying to find the rightful owner, but the beef cow has yet to be claimed by anyone.
In the summer months, Betsy fed on the grass in the farm fields surrounding the property. Once the snow started to fall, the resident became concerned about her food supply, and has been purchasing animal feed from the TSC store in town, to supplement the cow's diet.
Since then, Betsy has been coming back for nightly visits and often stays on the property overnight, on hay that the resident has left out. In the daytime, she wanders off and doesn’t return until dusk.
Weighing about 400 to 500 pounds, Betsy has been hard to corral, and is becoming a safety concern.
“She was out on the road, and that’s what’s scary,” the resident said.
“This cow is big, and she’s strong and she’s fast. If she gets mad or scared, boom, she’s gone. You have to be careful around her,” the resident added, speaking from personal experience.
The resident has reached out to various organizations and agencies, asking for help to get the cow off the property, “and get her somewhere safe.”
Dog Tales Rescue was among the groups contacted, and has been trying their best to help capture the cow, with no luck so far. They will be returning on Wednesday, to see if they can corner the animal and wrangle her into custody.
Betsy is a chestnut coloured beef cow, estimated to be around 12 years old, with a dark pink tag on her ear with the number 607. When the resident called the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, they were told the number did not mean anything and was probably used by the farm where she came from, not something they would be able to trace.
Betsy also has a small dot tag on her other ear, but no-one has been able to get close enough to read it.
“You have to be careful because she can trample you,” the resident warned. “She scares me.”
Several farmers have expressed interest in taking the cow, but the issue is one of logistics: catching Betsy and getting her off the property.
Outside, the resident has built a corral where the cow will go and eat, but it isn't sturdy enough to contain the fully-grown animal.
“There’s no way I can hold it shut,” the resident explained. “I’m exhausted. She needs to be picked up; something's going to happen."
Police were contacted, and reportedly advised the resident that their response would involve shooting the animal, to ensure there is no ongoing risk to the public.
“It breaks your heart. It’s just a cow but... I'd hate to see her put down," said the teary-eyed resident.
Ideally, the resident would like to have Betsy rescued by an animal sanctuary or farm, or reunited with its proper owner.
Anyone who can help is asked to send an email to [email protected]
