Two Calves Escape Farm Enclosure in McCandless

The beef cattle, known as Dexter cows, were last spotted nearby after breaking through a fence.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Two calves, approximately one year old and weighing 270 to 300 pounds each, escaped from Eichner's Farm in McCandless, Allegheny County. The owner, Michael Stewart, discovered the animals missing on Tuesday morning and has been searching for them since, with the calves last seen in the surrounding neighborhood.

Why it matters

Escaped livestock can pose a risk to public safety if they wander onto roads, and the animals' owners are responsible for recapturing them and repairing any property damage. This incident highlights the importance of secure fencing and vigilant monitoring of farm animals to prevent such escapes.

The details

The male and female calves, dubbed Hoodini and Whodunit, broke through a weak spot in the fence at Eichner's Farm. They had previously tried to escape but failed, but on this occasion, they "bee-lined it" and took off. The calves, which are beef cattle known as Dexter cows, have been spotted in the nearby area, including at the Franklin Inn and Franklin Elementary School.

  • On Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026, the farm owner, Michael Stewart, discovered the animals were missing.
  • The calves have been on the loose for about a day since their escape.

The players

Michael Stewart

The owner of Eichner's Farm in McCandless, Allegheny County, where the calves escaped from.

Hoodini and Whodunit

The male and female calves, approximately one year old and weighing 270 to 300 pounds each, that escaped from Eichner's Farm.

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What they’re saying

“We had two cows that found a weak link in the fence.”

— Michael Stewart, Farm Owner (KDKA-TV)

“Unfortunately, they got out this time. They were very determined to get out, and when they got out, they bee-lined it, took off, and we've been chasing them for about a day now.”

— Michael Stewart, Farm Owner (KDKA-TV)

“They're not aggressive, they're just really worked up.”

— Michael Stewart, Farm Owner (KDKA-TV)

What’s next

The compromised cow pen will be remedied to prevent future escapes, and authorities are asking residents to call 911 if they spot the missing calves.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the importance of maintaining secure enclosures for livestock to ensure public safety and prevent property damage, as well as the need for vigilant monitoring and quick action by farm owners when animals do manage to escape.