Dec 22, 2006 10:56 am US/Eastern
Friday A Big Day For 'Herbie The Hereford'
Fate Of Calf That Ran Through The Streets Of Brooklyn To Be Decided
by Pablo Guzmán
BROOKLYN (CBS) ―
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A baby calf on the way to the slaughterhouse escaped into the streets of Brooklyn on Tuesday night, touching off a wild cow chase that had police cars and ambulances criss-crossing every which way.
CBS
Today might be the most important day in Herbie the Hereford calf's life.
In two stories I've done, Wednesday and Thursday at 5 O'Clock, viewers have learned about the 4 month old calf that jumped out of a truck Tuesday night in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn as a man was about to take possession of it. For the purpose of bringing the calf to a slaughterhouse, police say, in Yonkers.
The baby cow's mad dash for freedom triggered quite a scene over a swath of Bay Ridge, as cops followed in hot pursuit. Terry Lindquist was caught in the traffic jam the chase created --- "I thought the cops were going after some guy. Then I see a cow jumping between me and this other car, and haul it down the block" --- but Terry also had the smarts to pick up his cellphone, and get a quick video clip of the calf, and a couple of cops running like you won't believe.
ESU officers finally used a Taser to stun and sedate the animal, and brought it to the Animal Care & Control Center in East New York. "In seven years, we've never had a calf here," said Najiyyah Ali, assistant supervisor. Playing off the "H" in "Hereford", she named the calf "Herbie". "He's adorable."
Normally, the Center allows 72 hours for someone to claim an animal. But they are not really equipped in East New York for a cow. So, they've contacted a farm, where Herbie will have other cow friends, as well as chickens, and the like. But most importantly, where Herbie will escape the death penalty. Unless --- the owner comes forth by 1PM today, Friday. In that case, it's back to the slaughterhouse.
Although police say the man at the scene had the proper paperwork, officials are still somewhat puzzled that he hasn't come forward for Herbie. Which has led to speculation that he may not want to be asked questions like, Why was an animal being transferred to you within New York City? Who were you getting it from? Where does the meat get delivered after the animal is killed?
We have gotten an unusually high number of calls at Ch. 2 in response to these two days of stories. Besides all the people who care about animals every day, I suspect something more is at work. I mean, consider the time of year. And whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Chanukkah, or Christmas, most faiths agree at the least that two thousand and six years ago, a great prophet was born. In the humblest of circumstances. Surrounded in a manger by...animals. A prophet who grew up to teach that we are all, humans and animals alike...God's creatures.
One O'Clock today.
Send a thought Herbie's way.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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