Cow Found Dead After Week-Long Search In South Jersey: Police

BURLINGTON CITY, NJ — A cow on the loose in Burlington has died after being hit by a vehicle, police said.

Her owner, staff, and police from both the city and township had been trying to catch her for more than a week, after someone reported the cow wandering near homes and yards. On Wednesday evening, police said she had been found dead in Burlington Township.

The rogue bovine was first reported on Oct. 26 at around 10:30 p.m. near Columbus Park, where she fled on hooves towards a wooded area, Burlington City police said in a statement.

Chief John Fine said a driver hit the cow on a "low-lit road" and called police. Fine asked neighbors not to "vilify" the driver, who stayed on the scene to talk to police. He said after the accident, the cow ran back into the woods and officers could not find her.

"This cow was elusive at night and was hard to spot," said Fine in a Facebook reply. "So on a low lit road, even at lower speeds, it would’ve been hard for motorists unfortunately."

The owner was out of town when the cow went missing, Fine said. The owner "was initially told all the cows were accounted for," and was working with police to bring the lost cow home after the original press release.

"The owner was cooperative and set out feeding stations and was privately trying to retrieve her," Fine said in a Facebook comment.

"Thank you to Burlington Township PD, City and Twp Residents who cooperated and who let us on their property, and the farmer who cooperated with our agency," said Fine. "Unfortunate outcome as we all know, but it does show the humanity in our communities. Thank you again."

City police also said they will update their training to better prepare for a similar incident in the future.

"We here at BCPD absolutely have the utmost respect for police officers working in rural communities," police said when they originally reported the cow missing.