A Texas Longhorn that slipped out of a pasture in Barry County turned into a four-hoofed headache for Michigan State Police troopers from the Wayland post on the night of April 8. After a flashlight-lit search, the stubborn but unhurt steer was finally tracked down and, with its owner’s help, guided back into its pen.
With help from the owner, this four-legged escape artist was safely wrangled. No harm, no foul, just another day on the job. pic.twitter.com/...
— Michigan State Police - Southwest MI (@MspSouthwestMI) April 8, 2026
How Troopers Tracked the Steer
Images and a short video shared by the MSP Fifth District show troopers sweeping dark fields and road edges with flashlights and using whistles to track the longhorn, according to CBS Detroit. In the clips, officers can be heard coordinating in the dark, with one calling out, "He's coming towards you," while a handler adds, "Nope, wrong way," as the steer ducks away from the light. With the owner on scene, the animal was eventually coaxed back into its pen without injury.
Bodycam, Timing and the 'Wildlife Rodeo'
Nexstar's WOOD-TV (via AOL) reported that Michigan State Police released bodycam footage showing the encounter unfolding just before 11 p.m. last Wednesday, with troopers working alongside the owner to bring the steer home. In a post on its regional account, the Michigan State Police wrote that troopers are "basically running a wildlife rodeo at this point," noting recent calls for injured owls, runaway horses and a loose donkey. No injuries were reported and the longhorn was returned to its owner, according to the WOOD-TV report.
What This Means For Local Farmers
Although the late-night roundup ended without harm, it is a reminder that rural law enforcement often fields non-criminal calls involving livestock and wildlife in areas where farms sit right up against public roads. As CBS Detroit notes, MSP's recent posts this spring have included rescues of injured owls and loose farm animals, highlighting just how varied a trooper’s shift can be. The agency thanked the owner for helping recover the steer and confirmed the longhorn was safely returned.
The quick recovery drew some light-hearted comments from officers and neighbors caught on camera, and both troopers and the owner were able to laugh off the unexpected detour. For now, the longhorn is back where it belongs and, as the state police put it, it was "just another day on the job."
