Two years ago, Louisville was captivated by a bizarre and thrilling spectacle: a herd of 10 cattle running loose through the city, sparking a multi-week chase involving cowboys, police officers, and curious onlookers. The escapade, which began on October 21, in Cherokee Park, ended nearly a month later with the capture of the final fugitive bull.
It all started when a non-injury accident at Lexington Road and Grinstead Drive caused a truck transporting the cattle to spill its bovine cargo. While six of the cows were quickly rounded up that day, four others evaded capture, kicking off an unforgettable adventure.
The Chase Begins
The initial round-up in Cherokee Park involved Louisville Metro Police, Animal Services, and Metro Parks personnel forming live barricades with snow fencing to guide the cattle into trailers. Marshall Berry, of the Olmstead Parks Conservancy, became a key figure in the operation, drawing on his farm upbringing to interpret the animals’ behavior.
“Growing up on a cattle farm, you learn to read their body language,” Berry explained in an interview with The Courier Journal two years ago. His techniques of hollering and guiding proved effective, especially since the cattle were young and less aggressive.
Still, by the afternoon, four determined escapees remained “on the run,” prompting police to issue a call for sightings from the public.
Volunteers Join the Effort
As the days stretched into weeks, the search turned into a citywide spectacle. A part-time cowboy from Huntington, West Virginia, became an unlikely hero. Mounted on horseback, he pursued the errant cattle through neighborhoods, golf courses and even onto Bardstown Road. One particularly cunning bull led him on a nighttime chase around the Highlands before it was finally cornered and roped in a parking lot.
The cowboy, who downplayed the challenge, said the bulls were only feisty when cornered. “There wasn’t any beef,” he joked with The Courier Journal, reflecting on the experience.
The Final Bull: A Dramatic Conclusion
The chase culminated nearly a month later when the last bull was spotted near the Beargrass Creek Greenway. Local journalist Tara Bassett documented the capture in a Facebook Live video, showing wranglers on horseback navigating open fields to corner the elusive animal.
Initially, the bull managed to escape their grasp, but it was eventually subdued and transported to Tribe Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit dedicated to the care of abused and homeless animals.
A Tale for the Ages
Louisville’s Great Bull Chase remains a legendary tale, blending humor, chaos and community effort. For weeks, the city buzzed with stories of unexpected sightings and cowboy heroics.
While the bulls have found safety and peace, the memory of their escapade continues to delight residents who witnessed Louisville’s brief but unforgettable brush with the wild.
