Evening commuters on MD‑100 got an unexpected sideshow on Monday when a large cow was caught on video strolling along the busy highway near the Arundel Mills shopping complex in Hanover. The animal ambled close to the shoulder near the exit for Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel drivers tapped the brakes and eased past. The short clip does not show any collisions, and officials have not yet said where the bovine came from.
A driver recorded the footage of the cow on MD‑100 and shared it on social media, where it quickly made the jump to local newsrooms, according to CBS News Baltimore. The outlet reports the video was taken near the Maryland Live! exit in Hanover, and that Anne Arundel County police were contacted for comment, though authorities had not publicly identified the animal's origin at the time of the initial report.
What the footage shows
The clip captures a single, sizable cow walking steadily along the shoulder while traffic creeps by at reduced speed. "It is unclear where the cow came from or how it got onto the highway," CBS Baltimore noted, adding that police were alerted to the unusual sight. In the background, motorists can be heard honking and slowing down to give the animal a wide berth.
Not the first time in the region
Loose livestock are not exactly unheard of in the greater Baltimore area. In 2023, two cows that slipped out of a farm in Odenton ended up wandering through Bowie, more than 15 miles from where they started, the Washington Post reported. That escape triggered a multi-agency response and a social media frenzy that looked a lot like the reaction to the MD‑100 sighting. In similar situations, local animal control teams and police typically team up with owners to round up wayward livestock.
Why it matters for drivers
Any large animal on a highway is a serious safety risk. Insurers and traffic analysts log hundreds of thousands of animal-related claims every year. Analysis cited by MoneyGeek found roughly 1.7 million animal-collision claims between July 2024 and June 2025 in data from insurers and the IIHS. Even when a car does not hit the animal directly, sudden braking or swerving to avoid it can trigger secondary crashes.
What to do if you spot an animal
If you come across livestock or wildlife on the road, slow down immediately and, if it is safe, pull over to a secure spot before calling 911 or the local police non-emergency line so officers or animal control can respond. Do not try to chase, herd, or approach a large animal yourself. Startled cattle can behave unpredictably and put you and other drivers at risk. This story will be updated if authorities release more information about the cow's recovery or where it came from.
