Runaway Calf on the Loose

If you happen to see a black bull wandering around town, it's probably a runaway feeder calf that may have been set for slaughter.

A black feeder calf has been sighted at least three times in Milford in the past week, according to Animal Control Officer Rick George.

The calf was first spotted around 6:15 p.m. July 6 on Edgefield Avenue near , according to George.

"It's also been seen the last two or three nights grazing at the Gulf Pond area at about 8 o'clock," George said.

It's easy enough to spot.

"It's between 275 pounds and 400 pounds," he said.

But it's hard to catch.

"I guess nobody can catch it because it runs away from everybody -- and obviously it's a large animal," he said. "It's doing a good job of hiding."

The runaway calf, which is not considered a danger to humans, is believed to have jumped a fence at an unspecified farm in Orange, CT, on the West Haven line, according to George.

A feeder calf is a steer or heifer, six to nine months old, which is fed for fattening before slaughter, according to Agripedia.

And, according to WikiAnswers.com, most feeder cattle are steers between six and 24 months old that are fed a grain diet "to be fattened for the meat shop."

This particular calf has run away before, according to George.

"But it's never come into Milford before," he said.

The animal is apparently milking this journey for all it can get. After all, Milford -- known as the Small City with a Big Heart -- has a history of saving animals who are smart enough to give the slaughterhouse the slip.

Take , the white domestic turkey that was found running down Bridgeport Avenue shortly before Thanksgiving nearly three years ago.

Animal control officers, who suspected she had escaped a truck bound for slaughter, took her in. Now, she rules the roost at Milford Animal Control headquarters at .

Anyone who spots the runaway calf is asked to call Milford Animal Control at 203-783-3279.