A large bull got loose Monday morning near I-495 in Raynham and people were asked to avoid the area in the vicinity of Elm Street East.
According to a statement from police, "After swimming in the water for a short time, officers and farm staff were able to locate the bull. Upon seeing the officers, the bull quickly and aggressively swam toward the group on shore, prompting a Raynham Police officer to discharge his department-issued rifle. The shots were ineffective at stopping the animal, and the bull got out of the water and began to charge at those on shore.
To avoid being injured by the charging bull, the officer fired several more rifle shots and struck the bull in the leg, disabling it and preventing further injury.
After being disabled, the bull needed to be humanely euthanized; however, the rifle that the officer was using was not powerful enough. The owner of the farm that the bull escaped from was on scene and is a legal gun owner and hunter. The farm owner retrieved his hunting rifle and effectively euthanized the bull."
It's not clear how the bull escaped.
(Photo released by Raynham Police)