Cows rescued on I-65 using special equipment from Johnson Co.
FRANKLIN, Ind. (WISH) — What could have been a dangerous situation on I-65 Friday had a happy ending.
Three cows got loose on the interstate and had to be rescued.
Fortunately, no drivers, first responders, or cows were hurt.
- PHOTOS: Cows rescued on I-65
Johnson County Animal Control used large animal rescue equipment to get the cows to safety.
A strange call came into the Johnson County Animal Control officers Friday afternoon.
“Three cows on I-65 just south of the Marion County line,” Johnson County Animal Shelter Director Michael Delp said.
According to Delp, the gate to a trailer came open and when the driver stopped, the cows walked out onto the interstate.
“Our officers responded and used the equipment we have here, the Porta Corral, and other equipment for large animal rescue,” he said.
The Johnson County agency has been growing its large animal rescue operation and has some unique equipment.
“I’m not aware of any other animal control agency in the state that has a Porta Corral,” he said.
The expanding metal corral, which expands to hold more than 30 cows, was critical in rounding up the wandering bovine.
“We were able to confine the animals and load them back up into their trailer,” Delp said.
Delp believes that without this equipment, the animals most likely would have been killed.
“I know other jurisdictions in the past in different counties have had to actually shoot the animals just to keep them from coming onto the interstate,” he said.
The cows stayed safe and so did drivers.
During the rescue, Indiana State Police kept all traffic moving along, with the help of INDOT.
“Certainly avoided multiple accidents and maybe even something worse happening on the interstate,” Delp said.
Delp said he is now even more confident in the need to add equipment to be able to handle livestock.
They just added a new rescue trailer this year.
“An incident trailer that we can also deploy on the scene so we have water rescue availability and ice rescue,” he said.
Delp is hopeful that if this happens again, it will end just as peacefully.