A police officer in rural northern California narrowly avoided getting run over by a "meat locomotive" while on duty.
California Highway Patrol Officer Brandon Pratt was trying to get an escaped cow off the roadway and safely away from motorists when the 2,000-pound animal "took offense" to being told what to do and charged at him.
"The cow was pretty mad," department spokesperson Bruce Thuelchassaigne told the Los Angeles Times. "It put its head down and went to throw him up in the air."
Pratt tried to flee but couldn't escape completely and was hit with a "glancing blow" near his right shoulder, Thuelchassaigne said.
The department posted dash cam footage of the incident on Facebook.
"Officer Pratt caught on camera one of the many dangers we face on a daily basis here in rural northeastern California," the post said. "Susanville CHP regularly handles calls of large animals that are outside of fenced areas and are threatening our motoring public by walking into the highway. This meat locomotive decided it had enough of being told what to do."
Fortunately, Pratt escaped "relatively unscathed," according to the department.
Cattle ranching is one of the main industries in the area, so officers often deal with a stray cow, but they're usually docile creatures.
"Most times, the cows behave and go back through the fence, but every once in a while, you get one that has attitude," Thuelchassaigne said.
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