Latest news with #LeeSohl
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Scottish Highlands bull on the lam in Connecticut for a month: ‘People keep spotting it'
Waiting for a bovine intervention. A majestic Scottish Highlands bull has been roaming around rural western Connecticut — becoming a fond sight for unsuspecting locals as its owners struggle to corral their prized cattle. Residents of Litchfield County have been spotting the beautiful bull for over a month after the beast escaped from its enclosure in the hills of the Constitution State. The bull was most recently seen in the town of New Milford — but many of the witnesses don't realize that the animal is lost and likely suffering in the frigid winter weather. 'People keep spotting it and they don't know that people are looking for it,' said animal control officer in Kent, Lee Sohl. 'If somebody calls me about a sighting, then I tell the owner and they've been doing their best. They run right out and try to get to it, but it's hard. It's hard in this weather, and [the bull is] very scared,' Sohl told the Associated Press. Farm owner Jo Ann Joray says cow-gawkers have been reaching out whenever they see the bovine specimen — but she has been unable to bring home her beefy boy. Scottish Highland cattle are considered weather resilient and naturally live outside all year long — though temperatures have been dipping below freezing temps in the Nutmeg State for several days. Western Connecticut is no stranger to cows lamming-it for extended periods of time. 'Buddy' the beefalo captured the hearts and minds of Nutmeggers — after the halfbreed bull lived off the land for over eight months back in 2021. That stealthy steer was slated to be killed for its meat before escaping the clutches of man at a slaughterhouse in Plymouth, Conn. 'Buddy' was eventually rehomed at an animal sanctuary in Gainesville, Fla.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- General
- The Independent
Escaped Scottish Highland bull becomes minor celebrity in rural hill country
A Scottish Highland bull has been braving the frigid Connecticut winter for over a month, evading capture after escaping its enclosure in the western hills of the state. The elusive bovine has become a local legend, with sporadic sightings reported by residents in the Kent area and recently just over the town line in New Milford. 'People keep spotting it and they don't know that people are looking for it,' explained Kent Animal Control Officer Lee Sohl. This lack of coordinated communication has hampered capture efforts. 'If somebody calls me about a sighting, then I tell the owner and they've been doing their best. They run right out and try to get to it. But it's hard. It's hard in this weather, and it's very scared.' The bull's owner, Jo Ann Joray, confirmed search efforts are ongoing, but the animal remains at large. The harsh winter conditions and the bull's skittish nature are proving to be significant obstacles. The wandering bull has also become a social media sensation, with photos of the animal generating a wide range of reactions. Some express concern for its well-being in the cold, others find its appearance adorable, while at least one commenter focused on the animal's potential as a source of steaks. Stray farm animals are nothing new in the area. Cows, horses and goats get loose on occasion, Sohl said. 'That's just where we live,' she said. The bull's story evoked memories of Buddy the beefalo, a bison hybrid who roamed the woods in central Connecticut for months in 2020 and 2021 after escaping on the way to the slaughterhouse. Buddy was eventually caught and moved to a Florida animal sanctuary. Scottish Highland cattle are known as a hardy breed that can live outside all year, according to the Highland Cattle Society in Scotland. That's good for the Connecticut bull because temperatures have been below freezing for several days.
USA Today
20-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
'Don't chase him!' Scottish Highland bull on the loose in Connecticut town for days
'Don't chase him!' Scottish Highland bull on the loose in Connecticut town for days The bull has been on the run since Tuesday, and efforts to catch him have been unsuccessful so far. Scottish Highland bulls are not generally aggressive, and have even been kept as pets. A Scottish Highland bull has been on the loose in Connecticut for two days and counting. The bull is roaming through the small western Connecticut town of Kent, with efforts to catch him unsuccessful so far, the town's animal control said in a Facebook post. "He was last seen over the line in New Milford, but if he heads back into the Hollow, please don't chase him!" Kent Animal Control wrote in the post. 'That's just where we live' Jo Ann Joray, the bull's owner, told the Associated Press that people have been out looking for him, but they haven't been able to catch and bring him home. Lee Sohl, the animal control officer in Kent, told the AP that stray farm animals are common in Kent as cows, horses and goats get loose quite often. 'That's just where we live,' Sohl said. USA TODAY contacted Kent Animal Control on Thursday but has not received a response. Are Scottish Highland bulls aggressive? Anyone who encounters a Scottish Highland bull shouldn't be in fear as the animals are generally not aggressive, according to the Highland Titles. "They are known for being a very docile animal, never showing any aggression and are very low stress to keep and manage," the nature reserve in Appin, United Kingdom said. "Within their herds they have a great understanding of their own social hierarchy and never fight. They also enjoy the company of humans, often approaching walkers seeking affection." These bulls have even been kept as pets, the Highland Titles said. "Highlanders have been living alongside man for thousands of years, with written record as far back as the year 1200-AD, and archeological finds that take them back to 1200-BC," according to the nature reserve. "In the earlier days, in winter the cows would come into the home and their body heat helped warm the home. This had the added benefit of also keeping others from stealing them."
