A cow that had apparently escaped from a trailer on Interstate 10 was shot by Crowley Police Officers as it made its way toward U.S. Highway 90 recently.
According to Police Chief Jimmy Broussard, on Saturday, Jan. 12, at about 7 a.m., officers were called to the Interstate 10 access ramp at exit 82 in reference to a cow that was moving in and out of traffic.
Upon arriving, officers attempted to contain the animal in a small field between I-10 and Lowe’s Home Improvement.
Broussard said that, while officers were on the scene, the purported owners of the cow, Tony Chamlee and a white female subject, arrived. Officers told them they would do everything in their power to assist them in corralling the animal but, in the event the animal became a danger to motorists, “other actions” would have to be taken.
Broussard said officers went as far as to purchase a rope to try to catch the animal prior to Chamlee’s arrival.
Chamlee and the female joined officers in attempting to corral and subdue the animal in order to place it back in the transportation trailer, but efforts were unsuccessful, according to the chief.
The animal proceeded from the intersection of Odd Fellows and Tower roads and continued southbound on Tower Road toward U.S. Highway 90.
It was at that point that officers, fearing for the safety of unsuspecting motorists on U.S. 90, were “relegated to taking down the animal,” Broussard said.
Broussard said the purported owners then told officers, “Y’all shot it, y’all deal with it,” and left the scene headed back toward I-10.
Animal Control responded to properly take charge of the remains and dispose of the animal.
“It’s a very unfortunate and tragic event that the situation got to the point where greater measures had to be taken,” said Broussard. “In reviewing camera footage, officers reiterated numerous times that it was not their object to take those measures, but rather to contain the animal and get it back to the alleged owners who, to our knowledge, were on the scene.
“Officers made numerous attempts in different manners to corral the animal and attempt to subdue it, but when it became an issue of public safety, that became the paramount issue.”
Broussard added that he has since been in touch with and will be coordinating with local livestock experts in developing a format of assistance and training for emergency responders in the event a similar situation arises.
“I thank those who have contacted our department to offer these aspects and spearhead the effort,” the chief said. “Training is an ongoing thing for emergency responders, but most especially when faced with situations that we are not normally faced with.”
