Escaped Littleton Bull Euthanized

LITTLETON, MA — A 1,200-pound bull that escaped a Littleton farm auction Tuesday and led authorities on a multi-town chase all week was tracked down and euthanized Sunday night, police said. Police said the animal was found in the middle of Great Road with cars going by. A sergeant shot the animal over concerns a vehicle would hit the animal and injure the occupants, police said.

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The bull escaped the Farmer’s Livestock Auction and Market Exchange Tuesday and made it to Groton and Ayer. On Sunday at about 5:30 p.m., police received a report the bull was in the middle of Great Road by Janes Drive and a sergeant responded to the scene.

"The night prior, the bull was also on Great Road, and a driver reported narrowly avoiding a collision," Littleton police Chief Matthew King said in a statement. "If a motor vehicle were to strike the animal, it could cause serious injuries to the occupants."

King continued, "When the bull started to head back toward Great Road, the Sergeant, fearing for the safety of drivers, fired two shots at the bull. The owner of the bull arrived on scene shortly thereafter. Out of concern for public safety, the owner made the difficult decision to put down the bull. He fired another shot that proved to be fatal ... This decision did not come lightly. Littleton Police and the bull's owner acted out of concern for people in the neighborhood and drivers in the area."

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Photo: A bull that escaped a Littleton farm auction August 15, 2017. (Credit: WHDH-7News)