Cattle escape near Lake Villa, found cooling off in lake
Two large, freedom-loving cows escaped their enclosure near Lake Villa Wednesday morning, but were safely returned home after a couple of hours on the loose.
The Highland cattle - named Doris and Hilda - were reported missing about 7:15 a.m. from a rural, residential property on the 25100 block of Deering Lane. They wandered and eventually took a dip in Petite Lake, just off North Cedar Crest Drive.
That's where police found them. Doris and Hilda were back home by 9:15 a.m., Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Christopher Covelli said.
The sight of the cows slowed traffic on Route 59, but the impact on commuters was minimal, Covelli said.
It's not the first time Doris and Hilda got loose, Covelli said. They made a break for it a couple months ago, too.
Fortunately, because of the first escape, police had the owners' contact information.
Police believe the cows used their weight to break the fence that keeps them on the roughly 10-acre property.
The cows' owner will take steps to ensure they don't break out again, Covelli said.
"The owner said she's looking into an electric fence, as the cattle are extremely strong and strong-willed," he said.
The sheriff's office had some fun with the cows' escape Wednesday on Twitter and Facebook.
"Chance the Snapper has nothing on these 'udderly amazing' Highland Cattle," read one tweet, referring to Chicago's infamous alligator.
"Don't have a cow, these fellas just wanted to 'cowool' off," read another tweet that included a photo of Doris and Hilda in the lake.