Lakewood Cow Saga: Here's Why 2 Cattle Were On The Loose

LAKEWOOD, WA - Some local park-going residents were surprised to see a cow and her calf hanging out in Fort Steilacoom Park on Tuesday morning.

Now we know what they were doing there.

Lakewood police have revealed that the cattle escaped from the Pierce College veterinary department on Sunday. The cattle minders couldn't corral the pair, and they wound up at Fort Steilacoom Park. Animal control officers from Lakewood and Pierce County on foot, likewise, were unable to capture the mom and calf on Tuesday.

Early Wednesday morning, animal control officers returned - this time with riders on horseback. That did the trick, and the cattle were returned home and are reportedly doing fine.

Lakewood police confirmed that this is the first known cattle drive in the city.

"We are very proud of the way the City of Lakewood Animal Control and Parks Department handled this unique call and we are extremely appreciative of the collaborative approach we were able to employ with Pierce County Animal Control and Pierce College," Lakewood police wrote on Facebook. "This was most definitely a team effort and everyone involved did an excellent job of ensuring the animals' (and citizens) safety during the entire process."

Image via Lakewood police