Udderly mystifying: Why were three calves abandoned in Ottawa?

Ottawa police are investigating what could be a case of cattle rustling gone wrong.

On Saturday morning at about 11 a.m., Ottawa police were called to the area of Wellington Street West and Holland Avenue following reports of suspicious activity involving a pickup truck. The vehicle was later located, abandoned, in an alley beside Reid Park, near Sherwood Drive, in the Civic Hospital neighbourhood.

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Inside the truck’s cab, police found three calves and a dog.

Police initially suspected the calves must have been taken from the nearby Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, but they later confirmed the animals did not originate there.

An Ingenium spokesperson confirmed that fact on Monday. “There were no police operations involving the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum and/or the animals in our care over the weekend,” said Phillippe Tremblay, who reported that all of the farm’s cattle are accounted for.

City of Ottawa bylaw officers were called in to take the three calves into protective care.

Roger Chapman, director of the city’s bylaw and regulatory services, said the calves are being held in protective care at a livestock pound in accordance with the Animal Care and Control By-law.

It’s not yet known where the calves came from, why they were in the truck or what happened to the person who abandoned them. The Ottawa police refused to provide more information, saying its official investigation is ongoing.

The event sparked a pungent torrent of puns on Reddit, where a picture from the Saturday incident was posted.

“They need to send that thief out to pasture,” said one.

“He better steer clear of Ottawa,” said another.

“Sounds high steaks,” said still another.

Andrew Duffy is a National Newspaper Award-winning reporter and long-form feature writer based in Ottawa. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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