“STEER”-ED TO SAFETY

HAWS staff assists with County Fair Escapee

WAUKESHA ­­— July 16, 2008 —  The Humane Animal Welfare Society (HAWS) of Waukesha County, Inc. Animal Rescue Team sprang into action early this afternoon when a wayward Waukesha County Fair participant wandered across the shelter’s front lawn on Northview Road in Waukesha.  The County Fair grounds are just west of HAWS’ shelter building.

“We’re used to seeing dogs being walked on our grounds, but not livestock:  it was quite a shock to look out our windows and see a large black steer looking back at us,” said Jennifer Smieja, HAWS spokesperson.  “He seemed somewhat spooked, and just searching for a safe place away from the commotion and traffic.”

HAWS Adoption Counselor Lisa Neaman, who has shown animals at the Fair in past years, identified the bovine as possibly a black Angus crossbred steer, weighing a minimum of 800 pounds.

Neaman, Kennel Lead Jaime Merkel and Spay Neuter clinic technician Cassie Gugin ran out to assist the steer’s handlers and a Fair official who were attempting to corral it back to safety.  The round-up lasted about ¼ mile, when the group was finally able to get a halter around the steer and wrangle it back into a trailer.  The HAWS staffers offered water for the animal that was obviously tired and weary from his jaunt.

Smieja noted with a smile: “With our ‘open admissions’ policy, it makes perfect sense to us that he would seek shelter at HAWS.”