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SHELLEY, Idaho — A Bingham County sheriff's deputy was hospitalized and later released after being attacked by a cow on Interstate 15 near Shelley, Idaho, on Sunday afternoon.
Idaho State Police reported a man hauling cattle was forced to let them loose on the highway after his truck caught fire. It happened around 1:30 p.m. at Shelley exit 108. As of Monday afternoon, it isn't clear what caused the blaze.
A local fire department put out the flames. No one was hurt. Traffic was held up for several hours as law enforcement helped round up the cows and get them to safety.
Bingham County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Jordyn Nebeker tells EastIdahoNews.com that one of the deputies was forced to shoot a cow in self-defense when it attacked him.
Nebeker declined to identify the deputy by name.
An injured cow kept trying to wander into northbound traffic, Nebeker. After closing it down, the deputy got out of his car to try and push the cow away from traffic, and it "went right for him."
"She hit him and actually launched him airborne across the interstate," Nebeker says. "She continued to attack him on the ground and rolled him clear into the median."
The cow was about to trample him when he realized it was either him or her. His only option was to shoot the cow to protect himself, Nebeker said.
The deputy was taken by ambulance to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. He was eventually released.
Nebeker is grateful the deputy's injuries were not serious. He walked away with a few bumps and bruises.
According to Nebeker, the deputy was in good spirits Monday and will be returning to work soon.
The rest of the cows were eventually rounded up. Nebeker isn't sure where they were taken, but he's grateful to those who stepped in to help during the ordeal.
Idaho State Journal reports the cows were put in another vehicle and taken to their final destination. The fire-damaged trailer was reportedly towed from the scene.
