Sunday night around 7:15 p.m., Sacramento County Sheriff’s North Patrol deputies were called to the intersection of W. 4th Street and W. Q Street in Rio Linda after drivers spotted three cows and a horse strolling down the middle of the road. Deputies briefly stopped traffic, corralled the animals and got them back onto their property, with no injuries reported and the intersection cleared shortly after.
The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office later posted an update on X about the unusual call, noting that deputies were dispatched to the area and handled the situation "with some patience and teamwork." According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, North Patrol deputies arrived around 7:15 p.m. and secured the animals without incident.
Not your average evening call! Around 7:15 PM, North Patrol Deputies were dispatched to the area of W. 4th St. and W. Q St. in Rio Linda for reports of three cows and a horse walking down the middle of the road. With some patience and teamwork, Deputies safely corralled the animals back on to their property. https://x.com/i/status/2015650535886782735
How deputies handled the call
"Not your average evening call," the Sheriff's Office wrote on X, adding that deputies "safely corralled the animals back on to their property." On scene, deputies used traffic control and hands-on herding tactics to keep the cows and the horse away from moving vehicles, then guided them off the pavement and back where they belonged. The post did not report any injuries or citations at the scene.
If you encounter loose livestock on the road
If you see livestock on a roadway and they pose an immediate danger to drivers, call 911. For non-emergency situations, contact the Sheriff's non-emergency line at 916-874-5115, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office. The county's FAQ also lists Animal Control at 916-875-5232 for welfare checks and related services, per the Sheriff's FAQ. Officials advise keeping your distance, turning on hazard lights and waiting for trained personnel, to avoid spooking the animals and making the situation more dangerous.
Why it matters
Loose livestock on public roads can quickly turn into hazardous encounters, with the potential for serious collisions and traffic backups, especially at higher speeds. As coverage of similar incidents has shown, officers and animal handlers often rely on careful coordination and local know-how to move livestock off busy streets as quickly and safely as possible, as seen in a recent case covered by MotorTrend. In semi-rural neighborhoods like Rio Linda, keeping fences and gates in good repair helps prevent these barnyard breakouts and cuts down on repeat calls for emergency responders.
