ORLAND, Calif. -- A bull found running loose on Highway 99W had to be destroyed out of concern for public safety when it rammed a deputy’s patrol car, and efforts failed to contain it.
Orland police Sgt. J.C. Tolle said he was sent to check on a bull reportedly running toward Highway 99 on County Road 20 south of the city. Tolle said the bull was calm and in a pasture when he arrived, and took no action.
About an hour later, Tolle was called back to the scene, along with deputy Kristy Burns and a community services officer from the Glenn County Sheriff’s Office. They made several attempts to contain the bull, which was now breaking through fences and kept charging onto 99, endangering motorists.
The owner of the animal came to the scene, but had no better luck controlling it. At one point, the bull charged deputy Burns’ patrol vehicle, allegedly causing damage. Once the bull was coaxed away from the highway, deputy Burns dispatched it with her service revolver. Officials said they feared the bull would make a run for heavily-traveled Interstate 5, just a short distance away.