Prouse Road 'roundup'
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Motorists along Highway #19 were treated to views of the Tillsonburg area’s version of a roundup Tuesday, north of Ostrander.
A mature cow, looking to be mainly Charolais with perhaps a touch of Limousin in her, escaped early that morning, confirmed Anthony Schmidt, an employee of the animal’s owner.
The cow was spotted by at least one passing motorist east of #19 north of Tillsonburg, near Prouse Road. By 1 p.m., she was on or adjacent to Prouse Road, corralled to a degree by a trio of Mennonite (or Amish) horsemen and a pickup truck. Clearly agitated, the cow stared down the horsemen, intermittently pawing the ground, and taking an occasional run at a horse and rider, or the entire group.
“It’s a stubborn one, that’s for sure,” said Schmidt, monitoring the situation from nearby Duffy Line around 2 p.m.
“That’s what I’m doing right now,” he added. “That’s all I can do, keep the animal safe.”
The cow, riders and vehicle had gradually progressed eastward during the previous hour, which was preferable to the alternate direction, said Schmidt.
“Just trying to keep her away from Highway #19, so she doesn’t get any ideas.”
A truck was en route, said Schmidt, and the intention was to load up the roaming cow.
“I hope soon,” Schmidt said.
Judging by the cow’s behaviour, the operation was anticipated to require delicacy, an assessment Schmidt appeared to agree with.
“We’ll see,” he summed up.