Stray Steer Found Wandering Near Sky Valley

A steer that was found wandering the roads of Sky Valley Monday was safely corralled by animal control officers and brought to a Coachella Valley animal shelter.

The county Department of Animal Services received a call at 9:30 a.m. regarding a steer sighting near the 73000 block of Helms Road, said spokesman John Welsh.

Animal Services officers were joined by Riverside County firefighters, who over the course of three hours, cornered the steer back to where it was originally spotted.

Animal Services Officer Hector Palafox said he suspected the approximately 8-month-old steer may have wandered out through a damaged fence or corral, possibly one that sustained damage during gusty wind conditions this morning.

Palafox said he tried unsuccessfully to get a rope around the steer, but found that the animal was tame after cornering it.

“He was somewhat used to having contact with people,” Palafox said. “He allows you to be around him and you could pet him.”

The steer was being cared for at the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms, Welsh said, while its owner was being sought.

– City News Service. Image courtesy of the Riverside County Department of Animal Service.