New Hampshire

‘Aggressive' Bull Killed After Leading NH Police on Chase Through 3 Communities

Police said the animal had become agressive and they had no choice but to euthanize it before it hurt someone

An aggressive bull took authorities on a 14-hour, 18-mile chase through three New Hampshire communities Monday before police had to shoot and kill it in Bristol.

The 3,000-pound animal had become aggressive and police said they had no choice but to euthanize the animal before it hurt someone.

From the neighborhood diner to the local florist, the bull caused quite a buzz in the small town.

“There were cars pulled off everywhere,” said Melissa Traber who owns Renaissance Florals. “It was mayhem.”

“Everyone was stopped and just came out and was watching what was going on,” said Gina Morrison who owns Gina’s Place, a diner in the center of town.

The bull traveled almost 20 miles before arriving to the downtown area, police said.

“Once it gets downtown that’s when it’s dangerous,” Alexandria Police Officer David Suckling said. “It had approached some vehicles and was charging the animal control officer who was trying to get it under control and get it back home.”

Suckling said the animal escaped from a farm in Danbury on Sunday, traveled overnight, and was in fight or flight mode by the time it ended up in Bristol.

Morrison witnessed the animal’s aggression.

“Once I saw him put his head down, it wasn’t good,” she said. “He put his head down and tilted and went right toward that man.”

Dash cam video showed the bull charging a man who had gotten out of his car to help.

“It’s not the animal's fault that it is scared and running and charging at people,” said Morrison’s daughter, Tracy Webber. “It’s still an animal.”

Police said at the request of the animal’s owner, they euthanized the bull as soon as they could do so safely.

“They thanked us for doing what we had to do,” Suckling said. “It was a move we didn’t want to have to make.”

And so, after a 14-hour journey, the story of the ‘Bristol Bull’ came to a tragic end.

“It makes me sad,” Traber said.

Most residents were also sad but said they support the decision to put the animal down before anyone was hurt.

“I felt bad,” Morrison said. “But there is not much you can do about it.”

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