Cow escapes from abattoir into sewers

A cow bolted from an abattoir down an open manhole and was chased for a mile through the town’s sewers.

Pursuers finally lost track of 90-stone (1260 pounds) Chloe and gave up their search.

But her taste of freedom was short-lived when the tunnels narrowed and she became wedged in a tight bend.


Photo from here.

Eventually a priest heard the cow mooing in distress beneath his church in Noeux-les-Mines, near Calais, northern France, and alerted the authorities.

A manhole was enlarged and Chloe was sedated and brought to the surface by winch and crane.

“Unfortunately she suffered injuries in the process and had to be put to death on the spot,” said the local fire brigade.