Two feral cows that had been roaming a Tulsa County property in Oklahoma for two years were finally captured by a crew of four cowboys, three dogs, and a pack of dog chow. The Black Angus cattle had made themselves comfortable on Brenda Stapleton’s property after escaping from a cattle trailer accident on I-244 in 2022. Despite efforts by the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office to shoo the cows away, they continued to pose a safety issue and cause a nuisance for Stapleton.
The mischievous cows had been munching on Stapleton’s grass, leaving cow patties in their wake, and even unplugging her septic tank multiple times. Concerns also arose about the dark-coated cows potentially getting hit by passing motorists, as they were difficult to see in the night. The Sheriff’s Office had suggested hiring professional cowboys to capture the cows, which led to Stapleton expressing frustration at the idea that it was her responsibility to deal with the situation.
After pleading her case in an interview with 2 News, a crew of wrangling hobbyists led by Bill Inhofe, came to Stapleton’s rescue. Inhofe, along with three other cowboys and three dogs, set out to capture the cows. By leaving out dog feed to attract the cows and using the canines to track their scent, the crew was able to rope in the cows and safely transport them to Inhofe’s ranch. Despite the two years of dealing with the cows, Stapleton admitted that she would miss having them around, as she had grown accustomed to seeing them grazing in the community.
The captured cows are now at Inhofe’s ranch where they will undergo a period of adjustment to captivity after their two years of freedom before likely being sold. Inhofe was initially shocked to learn that the cows were still roaming the area, as he had assumed they had perished after the 2022 cattle trailer accident. The successful capture of the cows marked the end of their reign of terror on Stapleton’s property, bringing relief to both her and the community.
The capture of the two feral cows involved a lengthy chase over 19 miles lasting two hours until they grew tired enough to be caught by the cowboys and dogs. Despite the challenges and frustrations faced by Stapleton in dealing with the cows, the capture marked the resolution of a longstanding issue on her property. Ultimately, the cows’ capture was a collaborative effort involving both community members and professionals, providing a sense of closure for all involved parties.
