A Herd of Cows Helps North Carolina Cops Apprehend A Suspect

Earlier this week, a 34-year-old driver led North Carolina police officers and deputies on a pursuit after fleeing from the officers during a traffic stop. According to the Town of Boone Police Department and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect, later identified as Joshua Minton, of Millers Creek, NC, ran into an undeveloped area after abandoning his vehicle in the Deep Gap area.

Because the suspect was driving fast and recklessly, officers were not close behind him and therefore did not see where he ran to, police said. While officers were searching the area for the suspect, they were approached by a herd of cows willing to reveal the suspect’s whereabouts.

In a press release, police said the cows obviously do not like suspected criminals loitering in their pasture. As a result, they took it upon themselves and led the officers directly to where the suspect was hiding out. Police said the animals communicated with the officers to the best of their ability and finally just had the officers follow them to the suspect’s location.

Minton was arrested and slapped with one count of felony for disorderly conduct, driving with a revoked license, and fleeing and eluding arrest with a motor vehicle. He is scheduled to appear in a Watauga County court on June 28 after receiving a $20,000 secured bond.

After Minton's apprehension, the Boone Police Department thanked the officers "for putting themselves in harm’s way" and praised the cows for their assistance in finding Minton, which opens up all kinds of questions as to the bovines’ role in crime fighting.

The department said it is something they haven't considered until recently and as they examine the “obvious next steps of incorporating a Bovine Tracking Unit” into their law enforcement capabilities, there are several factors to consider, including:

• How adaptable cows are to a variety of police work
• Whether cows can just find hiding suspects
• Whether cows are more cost-effective than K-9 dogs
• How cows will be transported cows to the scenes
• The cost of training, vet care, ballistic vests, and other expenses.