max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
No injuries were reported when eight bulls escaped from a rodeo at the Emerald Square Mall Sunday.
According to information provided by the town, the escape happened at approximately 12:30 p.m. during a rodeo being held in the mall parking lot. The bulls escaped from a pen, ran through the parking lot, and jumped over a fence surrounding the event. The animals were seen going through the parking lot and towards the woods behind BJ’s Restaurant.
One bull was captured shortly after escaping, and North Attleborough Police and Fire, along with the Massachusetts Environmental Police, searched for the other seven.
“Members from the New England Rodeo in Norton and members from the rodeo at the mall also assisted with search efforts,” a statement from the town read.
Via its Facebook page, New England Rodeo stated that the bulls were not associated with the company and had sent wranglers out to assist.
“We were happy to assist in the safe capture, despite these not being our bulls or our production,” the company stated in a post. “The western world has to work together.”
At 6:30 p.m. Sunday, six of the bulls were found stuck behind a fence at a home on Prescott Street in Attleboro. North Attleborough and Attleboro first responders, along with staff from New England Rodeo, corralled the bulls into a trailer without incident. No injuries were reported from the incident.
“One bull is believed to still be on the loose,” the statement read. “Community members should exercise extreme caution and not approach the bull if found. If found, community members should call 9-1-1.”
