Prineville bull goes on the lam until capture

A Black Angus bull that broke free from a Prineville animal hospital by apparently scaling a fence was on the lam through town until he was cornered in a yard, tranquilized and returned to the animal facility, police said Thursday.

Officers responded shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday to the reported bull escape at Hometown Animal Hospital on Northeast Third Street, where it was receiving treatment, said Community Resource Officer James Young.

Officers monitored the bull as it ran in and out of traffic along Third Street, to the intersection of Combs Flat Road, Young said.

The bull eluded containment for about 10 city blocks but eventually was cornered in the yard of a private home on Southeast Kramer Lane.

Officers successfully deployed a tranquilizer dart provided by the animal hospital’s veterinary staff and the bull was loaded into a waiting stock trailer.

Prineville police thanked the numerous animal hospital employees who helped, as well as the Crook County Sheriff’s Office.

Young said the bull was unharmed during the encounter, and no citizen injuries or property damage were reported.