Rogue cow spotted grazing at Wellington’s Scorching Bay

Harriet Houdini, 4th in the line, back with the herd in a paddock above Scorching Bay, Miramar. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The rogue cow spotted grazing at Scorching Bay beach in Wellington is a repeat escape artist, who runs away so frequently her owner calls her Harriet Houdini.

Wellington City Council was alerted to the animal on Twitter by a member of the public, and video footage showed her roaming calmly on the grass area behind the beach.

According to the farmer who owns her, Harriet Houdini is two years old and runs away frequently from the farm she lives on which is above the beach.

The farmer said there is an escape two or three times a year and this cow is a serial offender. She credited it to people who walk through the area and climb over the fence by standing on the wires, which stretches the wires so the cows can squeeze their heads through.

On this occasion, Harriet Houdini walked herself back home to her paddock. Her owner told the Herald she had between 15 and 25 cows on the farm at any given time.

pic.twitter.com/rWpYkkggQp

— @br3nda@cloudisland.nz 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦 (@BR3NDA) April 20, 2023

“Steer clear of the loose bull at Scorching Bay Beach!,” the council said on Twitter.

“It looks like he wanted to moo-ve away from farm life to catch some waves. Our team is on the way to take him home.”

A Wellington City Council spokesperson confirmed the report had been lodged with the council.

Animal Control has contacted the owner who was on the way to collect it, they said.

Steer clear of the loose bull at Scorching Bay Beach! It looks like he wanted to moo-ve away from farm life to catch some waves 🌊

If you see him, don't start beef! Our team is on the way to take him home🐂 https://t.co/vD8BqreqmH

— Wellington City Council (@WgtnCC) April 20, 2023

Police confirmed they had also been notified of a cow wandering near Massey Rd in the Karaka Bays area.

“It looks like a farmer came to get the cow shortly after we were notified,” a police spokesperson said.