Cows- what do I do?

[dcyrilc]

The Sheriffs office and local feed stores are good ideas. Ten cows could easily be someones entire herd. Most of the farmers I know, including myself, would be greatful for someone containing them and trying to find the owner.

As for water, cows can drink a lot of water. Up to 30 gallons per day. Make sure they have water available.

What area are you in? There may be some of us that could help if needed depending where you are.

 

[weldingisfun]

Good advice all around. First things first though and that is contact the local law enforcement authority, IAW cover you rear, then make sure they have water (you don't want to be brought up on animal cruelty charges) and finally try to find who the animals belong to.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[DanD78]

It happens around here, Dave's cows get out and go down the road to Jim's place and another neighbor driving by puts them in to the nearest fenced area. I have been called to haul cows from one place to another because they got out and were fenced where ever they could get them in. I would keep the law or animal people out unless that is your last resort. I have lived in my area all my life. I couldn't imagen not knowing who has lifestock with in 10 miles of me.

Another option. Do you have friends that would do this to you. We once put a white cow in with a group of Angus. All the neighbors knew where it came from. Another time a Donkey was put out in a guys pasture.

Dan

 

[czechsonofagun]

We always joke about sneaking our horse to somebody's pasture; days when people knew by sight all horses in the county are long gone.

It reminds me of a business idea I had. See to get farming tax relief you have to have certain amount of cowweeks - lets say 37 weeks of one cow or one week of thirty seven cows. (I am making these numbers out). The idea was to start cow rental business, you would keep on your land the herd of cows long enough to qualify for the tax deduction than pass it on the next neighbor

 

[56FordGuy]

While I did check on the abandoned animals laws on my own, I have no intention of keeping these animals. Like others have said, 10 cows is a large enough number that someone, somewhere, is looking for these animals and wants them back. I want go give them back. Legally, I could probably tag and keep them, but I don't want to. If I'd had them for a few weeks, and had exhausted all the options to find an owner, then maybe. But after a single day? Nah. I don't feel right about that.

As far as someone 'loosing' them to graze my land for a week, then 'finding' them, I might be willing to let someone use my field. Planning on horses soon, which is why there's new fence up. cattle would just keep me from having to mow the field until I get horses. I just want to know where the cows came from! :laughing:

In any case, we have a resolution. I checked with a few more folks, they directed me to someone else, long story short I found the owner. He has a farm several miles down the road. The cows got out, and he tracked them all the way down and across the ridgeline, then he lost track of them. They made their way to my field, where 6 of them found a gate on the back side that was open. They got in and got confused, couldn't get back out. The other 4 circled the field and couldn't figure out how to get in.

Anyway, they're going to stay in my field, and I told him I would try and get the other 4 in there if I see them out. He's supposed to come get them tomorrow.

I didn't realize cows would travel like that. They probably went 5 miles.

 

[dcyrilc]

Glad to hear you found their owner. I know I would be deeply troubled if I had 10 cows missing.

Visit with their owner when he comes to get them...and ask lots of questions. You might have found a source for beef at a better price than what you pay in the store and that's a lot better for you too.

 

[jimmyj]

Glad you found the owner - that was quite a story.

We had a cow once get out and went on a walkabout. It was funny to follow the tracks she left. She went around my neighbors house, down back, through the woods, around a pond, the trail went on and on. The difference is she came back at the end. It was quite a fun time walking her path!

 

[jinman]

Good luck with the guy coming to get his cows. Now that he knows where they are, he should bring them water if they don't have any. If he won't take that much responsibility, I would have a terrible problem with my gate/fence and they would escape. The next call would be to the sheriff about the loose cattle on the road. In our county, the sheriff only worries about animals if they are on the road. If you pin them up, it's between you and the owner as a civil matter. Therefore I'd tell the owner a specific date he must remove his animals and that he must care for them in the interim. You have been a good neighbor by keeping his animals safe. If he won't take care of them, it defines him.

I won't tell you a long story, but I'm speaking from experience.

 

[dcyrilc]

Good luck with the guy coming to get his cows. Now that he knows where they are, he should bring them water if they don't have any. If he won't take that much responsibility, I would have a terrible problem with my gate/fence and they would escape. The next call would be to the sheriff about the loose cattle on the road. In our county, the sheriff only worries about animals if they are on the road. If you pin them up, it's between you and the owner as a civil matter. Therefore I'd tell the owner a specific date he must remove his animals and that he must care for them in the interim. You have been a good neighbor by keeping his animals safe. If he won't take care of them, it defines him.

I won't tell you a long story, but I'm speaking from experience.

Wow, you almost sound bitter Jim. Not used to hearing that kink of responce from you.

 

[mjarrels]

My biggest fear abouts cows getting out (have about 30 now and fence is in poor condition) is someone hitting one on the road. When we do have some get out onto the road, people do not even slow down. 800 pound cow is going to do damage and possibly kill some one.

mark