Bulls on the Loose: A Wild Rodeo Escape in North Attleboro
On a seemingly ordinary Sunday afternoon, chaos erupted at the Emerald Square Mall in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, as eight bulls made a daring escape from a rodeo event. The animals broke through barriers, sending spectators and organizers into a frenzy as they fled towards nearby woods.
The Great Escape
Authorities reported that around 12:30 pm, the bulls managed to break free from their enclosures, navigate through the parking lot, and leap over a fence surrounding the event perimeter. The situation quickly escalated as the bulls darted towards a nearby highway before disappearing into the forest, each heading in different directions.
Kathelyn Gonzalez, one of the event organizers, described the escape as a chain reaction, stating, “When one goes loose, they all go loose.” A video capturing the chaotic moment was shared online, showing the bulls on the run and the panicked crowd seeking safety.
A Community in Shock
The unexpected turn of events caught local residents off guard, with many capturing the surreal scene on their phones as the bulls roamed through nearby neighborhoods. Witness Kyle Massey recounted his surprise, saying, “I had seen the bulls but figured they were just walking them around until I realized they were headed right towards my way and no one was with them.”
Roundup and Capture
Firefighters, police, and rodeo staff sprang into action to locate and secure the escaped bulls. While one was captured immediately after the breakout, it took four hours to corral six others found trapped in the backyard of a local resident, Chris Mooney, several kilometers away from the rodeo site.
Mooney expressed astonishment at the unexpected visitors, stating, “As soon as I came outside and looked, I said, ‘Oh my God, they’re bulls!’ I thought they were horses.”
After an intense search effort, the North Attleboro Fire Department confirmed the successful capture of the last bull on Monday night, bringing an end to the gripping saga.
Organizer’s Response
Rodeo organizer “Rancho El Milagro” has a history of hosting annual events, but the magnitude of this escape caught them by surprise. Gonzalez acknowledged the unprecedented nature of the incident, emphasizing their relief that no injuries were reported.
The Rodeo Festival, intended to commemorate the independence of Central American countries, took an unexpected turn, drawing attention to the controversial participation of bulls in entertainment events. Recent legislative actions in countries like Colombia and Spain have highlighted growing opposition to such practices.
In the aftermath of the escape, an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances that led to this remarkable incident.
Stay tuned for more updates as the story unfolds.