Cow's charge leaves E. Texas deputy in critical condition
Associated Press
March 24, 2011, 9:54AM
BULLARD - An East Texas deputy who was directing traffic away from an injured stray cow is hospitalized in critical condition after being attacked by the half-ton animal.
Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith says Deputy Robert Britton of Tyler early Thursday responded to a call about a cow hit by a vehicle near Bullard, about 90 miles southeast of Dallas.
Smith told The Associated Press that the 54-year-old deputy was directing traffic on County Road 344 when the cow charged him. The sheriff says Britton was knocked into the air, landed on his head and "then the animal continued the assault."
Other deputies rescued Britton. He was in critical condition in intensive care at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.
Smith says the cow has been put down. The owner is sought.
Bills Note: Rural, suburban or urban, encounters with domestic animals can be a mess. Growing up in Porkopolis, it wasn't unusual for soon-to-be steaks on the hoof to escape from stockyards and slaughter houses and make it miles before being apprehended, which usually meant the 6:00 news showing a circle of cops standing around a prone, screaming, thrashing cow, shotguns still smoking, putting a call out for more ammo, preferably slugs. There was also a major firefight involving an overturned truck hauling swine on the interstate, that I'm pretty sure I still can't discuss because of a gag order in the settlement.
I hope the officer has a swift recovery, and turns out better than Barney the Beagle, who was kicked in the head by one of my uncle's dairy cows and turned into a chronic drooler, because he couldn't get his entire tongue back into his mouth due to his jaws not lining up.
Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith says Deputy Robert Britton of Tyler early Thursday responded to a call about a cow hit by a vehicle near Bullard, about 90 miles southeast of Dallas.
Smith told The Associated Press that the 54-year-old deputy was directing traffic on County Road 344 when the cow charged him. The sheriff says Britton was knocked into the air, landed on his head and "then the animal continued the assault."
Other deputies rescued Britton. He was in critical condition in intensive care at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.
Smith says the cow has been put down. The owner is sought.
Bills Note: Rural, suburban or urban, encounters with domestic animals can be a mess. Growing up in Porkopolis, it wasn't unusual for soon-to-be steaks on the hoof to escape from stockyards and slaughter houses and make it miles before being apprehended, which usually meant the 6:00 news showing a circle of cops standing around a prone, screaming, thrashing cow, shotguns still smoking, putting a call out for more ammo, preferably slugs. There was also a major firefight involving an overturned truck hauling swine on the interstate, that I'm pretty sure I still can't discuss because of a gag order in the settlement.
I hope the officer has a swift recovery, and turns out better than Barney the Beagle, who was kicked in the head by one of my uncle's dairy cows and turned into a chronic drooler, because he couldn't get his entire tongue back into his mouth due to his jaws not lining up.
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