Longhorn Cow on the Loose Closes Hwy. 14 Near Dodge Center

Dodge Center, MN (KROC-AM News)- A longhorn on the loose closed down a four-lane highway in southeast Minnesota Sunday. 

See Also: Motorcyclist Taken to Hospital After Crashing in Wabasha County 

That’s according to a news release issued Monday morning by the Dodge County Sheriff's Office detailing the 50-minute ordeal. Deputies responded to the report of the loose livestock around 2:00 Sunday afternoon. 

The farmer, identified in the news release as Brandon Schmoll, reported one of his longhorn cows had escaped while they were attempting to transfer the cow into a pasture on Dodge County Rd. 34 east of Dodge Center. 

Get our free mobile app

Dodge County Deputies Deputies Close Hwy. 14 During Pursuit of Loose Longhorn Cow Near Dodge Center

Deputies then received calls saying the large cow was heading towards Hwy. 14 on a set of railroad tracks. 

During a search of that area, dispatch took multiple 911 calls indicating the Texas Longhorn had entered Hwy. 14 and was in the median, the news release says. 

See Also: Overnight Closures Start Tuesday on I-90 in Austin 

Authorities shut down both lanes of traffic on Hwy. 14 while trying to wrangle the longhorn, which was heading towards Hwy. 56 south and had made multiple attempts to try and cross the median cable barrier. 

A family member of the owners was struck when the cow charged him as the owners tried to capture the longhorn. He refused medical attention, authorities say. 

The news release says deputies were granted permission to shoot the cow due to its dangerous behavior. Eventually the cow got onto eastbound Hwy. 14 and headed south towards the Dodge Center Airport. 

Deputies then began shooting at the cow once it entered a field. Despite being hit with gunfire, the cow continued charging at one deputy. 

The deputy ended up delivering the final shot, putting the large cow down. Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose says no other injuries were reported.