Bull Burned in Interstate Crash Will Live at Farm Sanctuary

On the morning of July 27 a traffic reporter posted a Facebook update about a northwest Indiana interstate being closed due to "cattle" on the road. Several people commented with puns, and a fellow traffic reporter supplied a quote from the old TV series "Rawhide":

• Thanks! Will try to "steer" around it :-)
• Can't you just tell them to "moo-ve" over? I know, I know... lame.
• Don't have a cow, man!
• "Don't try to understand 'em, just throw the rope and brand 'em."

I chose a different tact.

That's sad. I wonder if those cows are going to slaughter. :( I stopped eating animals four years ago and wish I had stopped sooner.

The accident was more sad that I realized.

The semi carrying 34 bulls caught fire just before midnight July 26 after the driver rear-ended another semi while talking on his CB radio. Eighteen of the bulls died, and others were injured. The driver escaped through his window. Part of Interstate 94 was closed for six hours while authorities tried to round up seven of the bulls who had escaped the semi.

One bull, though, wasn't found until 12 hours later, several miles from the accident site. The 2-year-old was taken to an animal shelter, where a veterinarian treated burns to his mouth and side. Next week he'll be taken to Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen, N.Y., where he will receive love and care and hopefully move past the traumatic experiences of his young life.

Unfortunately, the 15 other survivors were transferred to another transport truck and continued their trip to Milwaukee. I don't know if they were going to a slaughterhouse, but it seems likely.

(Photos of the 2-year-old bull who survived the fiery crash courtesy of Porter County Animal Shelter, via Farm Sanctuary.)