Michigan State Police Trooper Helps Wrangle Loose Texas Longhorn

Bodycam footage shows officer assisting owner to safely return wandering bull to its pen.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:35pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing the blurred outline of a large horned animal moving through a hazy, softly-lit rural scene, conveying the mood of a livestock escape incident being resolved through cooperation between authorities and the animal's owner.A Michigan State Police trooper's quick response and teamwork with a Texas Longhorn's owner helped safely return the wandering bull to its pen, demonstrating the diverse duties of law enforcement.Grand Rapids Today

Michigan State Police shared bodycam video of a trooper working with a Texas Longhorn's owner to guide the escaped bull back to its pen in Barry County last week. The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday, with the trooper and owner successfully wrangling the four-legged "escape artist" without incident.

Why it matters

Incidents of livestock getting loose and wandering into public areas can pose safety risks, so the quick response and coordination between law enforcement and the animal's owner helped resolve the situation efficiently. MSP has previously assisted with other animal-related calls, demonstrating the diverse range of duties troopers may encounter on the job.

The details

The bodycam footage shows the MSP trooper working alongside the Texas Longhorn's owner to guide the bull back toward its pen. 'With help from the owner, this four-legged escape artist was safely wrangled,' MSP said in a social media post. 'No harm, no foul, just another day on the job.'

  • The incident occurred just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, 2026.
  • MSP shared the bodycam video of the wrangling on Monday, April 14, 2026.

The players

Michigan State Police

The state law enforcement agency that responded to the call about the escaped Texas Longhorn and assisted the animal's owner in safely returning it to its pen.

Texas Longhorn owner

The owner of the wandering bull who worked with the MSP trooper to wrangle the animal back into its enclosure.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'With help from the owner, this four-legged escape artist was safely wrangled. No harm, no foul, just another day on the job.'”

— Michigan State Police

The takeaway

This incident demonstrates the diverse range of duties Michigan State Police troopers may encounter, from responding to livestock escapes to assisting injured wildlife. Their quick coordination with the Texas Longhorn's owner helped resolve the situation safely and efficiently.