Good moo-rning: Breakaway cow herd stampedes down street

Homeowners must have thought they were dreaming when they woke to the sound of cows – but the reality kicked in as a look out the window revealed a bovine stampede across their suburban front lawns.


Residents of a quiet cul-de-sac in Harrogate, Yorkshire were stunned to be greeted by a 30-strong herd of cows that had escaped a nearby field. The incident, caught on camera, occurred at just after 6am on Sunday morning – waking sleeping residents on the street.

The bizarre footage was filmed by 20-year-old James Lee, who said he first thought the noise was someone snoring.

“It was a quite a confusing sight to wake up to, very odd and extremely surreal to see at that point in the morning,” he told BBC News. “I think most people on the street found it quite amusing really, it’s a bit different for a Sunday morning.”

Mr Lee said that the unexpected stampede left hoof prints six inches deep in front gardens on the street.

“When I heard the noise I first thought it was a family member in the house snoring but then I took a look outside,” he added. “The cows only really left hoof prints behind them, not much damage. I know they came for a field about a mile away from here but I’m not sure whose cows they are.
“They came up the alleyway, spent five minutes on the road and then went back again.”