Roaming bull

lambs.are.cute · #1 05/16/14, 06:12 PM

Two days ago we had a roaming bull follow/chase the elementary kids from our road down to the bus stop in front of my house. I heard he screaming and went to investigate and just saw a cow, didn't think to see of it was a bull just chased it into my pasture to keep it away from the kids and off the rural highway that was right there. I figured that his owners would come get him right away (he'd been up annoying one of our neighbors who's pasture isn't fenced since at least dawn that morning) and you know with him being a bull and all I thought they'd be especially worried. Anyways he tried to cream my sheep when he jumped into another pasture so I had to lock my sheep in the barn. Well he stayed until late afternoon then jumped fence and got onto the highway and followed it to the nearest herd of cattle and at this point I was worried about messing with a bull but the farmer and I herded him into his spare bull pen. I then went home and put up signs, called everybody that I knew had cattle to look for his home, and put an add on Craig's list. Well his owners finally showed up at least 36 hours after he had left home not at all worried that he had been roaming around.

So my question is if/when it happens again what should I do? Is it appropriate to call the sherif? We had a bunch of 1-3 graders around here, not to mention the highway and there is no way that I want him in my pasture risking my flock of sheep. I should also mention that I have no experience with cattle and am not comfortable herding him anywhere. I was worried enough when I thought he was a she.

Molly Mckee · #2 05/16/14, 07:42 PM

The Sheriff's Dept can tell you if you are in an open range area. If you are in eastern or central WA that is a possibility. Open range means that you have to fence out, I don't know how that works with a highway. If you are not in an open range area they should help, especially if kids are in danger. Actually the sheriff's dept should help if there is danger to kids or cars.

MO_cows · #3 05/16/14, 07:48 PM

Call the sheriff or the cattlemens association and find out what the law is in your area.

Seth · #4 05/16/14, 07:51 PM

Then, load him up and head to the sale barn, prices are up. Seth

lambs.are.cute · #5 05/19/14, 11:34 PM

Well we are defiantly not a fence out area. And the local sherif takes a VERY dim view of roaming animals never mind roaming bulls. I am to call right away of this happens again and they will take care of it. He should. We are just a mile up the road from where a pony (about the same size he is now) got out of a pasture and onto the highway and was hit by a car killing three people. It was a real tragedy all the way around and that was due to a brat opening gates not neglect of the owners.

I don't feel right about loading him up and taking him to the sale barn. He's not mine and I feel like it's stealing.

Awnry Abe · #6 05/20/14, 07:18 AM

'tis the season. Hang in there boys, June 1 is just a week and a half away.

ksfarmer · #7 05/21/14, 08:06 AM

Tell the owner to keep his bull home or he can come pick up his steer next time.

Tex- · #8 05/27/14, 06:17 AM

Brand and range laws in most western states are usually pretty old, but most of them are still in place. The OP said they ars definitely not a fence out state, but it would be wise to double check on that. Doing anything, such as making the bull a steer, could get someone in some hot water. Check with the sherrif or the state livestock board to find out what the law says. Some of the open range and brand (ownership) laws are very explicit and very enforcable.

Tex

MO_cows · #9 05/27/14, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lambs.are.cute

Well we are defiantly not a fence out area. And the local sherif takes a VERY dim view of roaming animals never mind roaming bulls. I am to call right away of this happens again and they will take care of it. He should. We are just a mile up the road from where a pony (about the same size he is now) got out of a pasture and onto the highway and was hit by a car killing three people. It was a real tragedy all the way around and that was due to a brat opening gates not neglect of the owners.

I don't feel right about loading him up and taking him to the sale barn. He's not mine and I feel like it's stealing.

You don't get to keep the money. You can charge for hauling him but the money goes to the owner if found, into the unclaimed fund if not

lambs.are.cute · #10 05/27/14, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO_cows

You don't get to keep the money. You can charge for hauling him but the money goes to the owner if found, into the unclaimed fund if not

ahhh I wondered about that. Also he'd not branded (I do know enough about cattle to check for one) all he had was a large yellow ear tag with 16 on it.

I would just rather the sheriff dealt with it. Call them, they come with a trailer and load the offending beasty up, and take him to the large animal impound and they get to deal with the irate owner and inform him that roaming bulls who chase kids is NOT acceptable.

COWS · #11 05/27/14, 05:17 PM

If that was my bull he would have been gone to the sale long ago. I've sold bulls for less than that.

COWS