Mootilda the Cow Escapes Butcher, Finds Sanctuary

In August a cow escaped from an Arizona meat processing plant and enjoyed a few brief hours of freedom before being tracked down and returned for execution.

Local animal lover Aimee Takaha, owner of Aimee’s Farm Animal Sanctuary, was made aware of the escapee and her capture. “They caught her and she is set to be slaughtered within a day or two,” Takaha wrote on Facebook. “She knew darn good and well what she was running from.”

Takaha contacted the butcher – Miller's Southwestern Processing, Inc – and learned the cow’s owner wanted $2500 for the animal, and they wanted it immediately. Within 12 hours, Takaha raised the funds to buy the animal, with more than 60 donors pitching in.

The cow – now named Mootilda – arrived at the farm sanctuary and must have thought she had found bovine heaven. “She needed a happy ending, and she shall have one,” Takaha posted. “She will have cow friends, a grassy pasture to graze, plenty of shade, a high powered mister and fans. … She will only know love from the moment she steps on the property.”

The property isn’t huge – just four acres – but it is home to about 60 animals – chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, cows, goats, pigs, alpacas and a three-legged rabbit. Many of the residents are disabled, old, or have some other deformity. The common feature is that they aren't wanted anywhere – except here.

Mootilda fits right in. Her progress is now documented via Facebook updates shared by Takaha that show the cow running, playing with her new friends, or just enjoying a snack.  

The most recent post announced a romantic development, as the lucky cow is pictured in a photo montage with a new friend, a much larger bull. “Mootilda is just smitten with her man, Adorabull. I see a wedding in the near future.” 

Photo credit: Aimees Farm Animal Sanctuary via Facebook