Calf Leads Officers on 30-Minute Chase

DUNBAR, W.Va. – This calf was really moo-ving. The calf, weighing between 300 and 400 pounds, led police, firefighters and animal control officers on a 30-minute chase Friday through three towns before it was captured. The calf ran through yards and alleys and over railroad tracks, and at one point jumped into and swam across the Kanawha River.

The animal was first spotted in Jefferson. It was chased from Jefferson to South Charleston to Dunbar, where it was cornered. The calf kicked an animal control officer in the ribs before it was brought under control.

“The cow’s a lot quicker, a lot bigger, a lot stronger than most people we chase out here,” said South Charleston police Cpl. Mike Greathouse.

Authorities were searching for the owner of the calf, which was taken to a local pasture.