The cow that went to college? It really happened.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (58114)
April 29, 2026 10:16pm CST
We've heard of extremely young people going to college occasionally, maybe 14, 15 years old. Not the norm for sure, but it does happen occasionally. But have you ever heard of a cow going to a major university? I hadn't, either--until today.
A cow was being unloaded at the University of Illinois veterinary clinic. Perhaps the cow wasn't aware of just how much it costs to go to that clinic, or was afraid of needles, or just had spring fever--whatever her reason, she broke loose and ran off. She wondered through many campus streets, in heavy traffic much of the time. Somehow no cars hit her. Students were herded away from her constantly. She was finally captured and tranquilized in order to get her to the vet clinic, so she is safe.
A very unique experience for a cow!
A cow got loose while being unloaded from a trailer and traveled through campus, drawing crowds of onlookers before being safely captured.
14 people like this
13 responses
@FourWalls (85880)
• United States
30 Apr
Running away from the doctor, sounds like she was already pretty smart. 
5 people like this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
30 Apr
I don’t blame her a bit! I’m sure the cow was surprised to find herself in a traffic jam!
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (500565)
• Italy
1 May
@MarieCoyle I think so, poor thing she was surely also confused.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
30 Apr
The poor cow must have been simply terrified to run off like that.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
1 May
@LadyDuck
I am sure she was, most cows haven't visited a college before.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
30 Apr
It’s so congested in that area of the city that it’s almost a miracle that she wasn’t hit by a car,the way she was running around in front of them. I bet she never tries that again!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
30 Apr
I think everyone was. It really was amazing that she didn’t cause an accident or get hit by a vehicle!
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (49569)
• India
1 May
Perhaps she thought it's better to go to a university than go to a doctor.
Or, she saw no difference between a veternary and a university.
1 person likes this
@Shivram59 (49569)
• India
1 May
@MarieCoyle Got it. Perhaps that's why the couldn't distinguish between the hospital and the university.
Here once a cow had suddenly rushed into a house where a wedding ceremony was going on. The bride, the groom, the priest and all those attending the ceremony disappeared. The venue was empty within seconds.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
1 May
The veterinarian clinic/hospital for pets as well as livestock are both located here, they have regular veterinarians there as well as veterinary students. It's all on university property, so technically the cow was already at the university in a way, before it ran off.
1 person likes this
@freelancermariagrace (29342)
• Philippines
30 Apr
Oh no! Maybe she was frightened. I’m glad she wasn’t hit by a vehicle.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
30 Apr
It definitely could have happened. At least now she is safe!
2 people like this
@snowy22315 (207399)
• United States
30 Apr
Mooo ve over she chanted as she ran through the streets.
. There were some loose cows here just the other day. The sheriff's office was trying to find the owners. I guess somebody left a gate open, or maybe they were just abandoned who knows? Hopefully, it was just a mistake.
. There were some loose cows here just the other day. The sheriff's office was trying to find the owners. I guess somebody left a gate open, or maybe they were just abandoned who knows? Hopefully, it was just a mistake.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
1 May
I live near several interstates so I am always seeing semi trucks full of pigs, cows, chickens, whatever...on their way to...well, you know. The exit you take to my area is a bit steep and if it's slick you really have to slow down--there are signs that tell you to do that, but evidently some people never slow down. Usually about once a year there will be some sort of accident involving a truck full of animals that has gone over on it's side--we have a meat plant not far from here. And then the chase is on. It's usually pigs. It takes state troopers, people from the U of I vet clinic, and more to get them rounded up. Usually one or two are never found at all.
Sometimes, cows will push on a fence hard enough to get loose. Maybe that happened there? Like you said, who knows?
@Tampa_girl7 (54707)
• United States
2 May
I am glad that she was safely caught.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
3 May
Yes, it could have ended badly, glad it didn't. Thanks, Marie.
How are you feeling today?
@wolfgirl569 (134375)
• Marion, Ohio
30 Apr
Sounds like she knew what she was doing
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
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30 Apr
I think many animals are way smarter than people give them credit for!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
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30 Apr
That’s exactly what happened. A reporter on our news said many of the students thought there was a shooter!
1 person likes this
@Jehanne (1471)
•
30 Apr
What once like you seen in a movie then suddenly happened in real life.
Everyone did experience it for real without a script. Glad no one was harmed but those people who got delayed due to the cow for sure they are annoyed but at the same time find it amusing seeing a cow wondered in a busy campus.
Everyone did experience it for real without a script. Glad no one was harmed but those people who got delayed due to the cow for sure they are annoyed but at the same time find it amusing seeing a cow wondered in a busy campus.1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (58114)
•
1 May
I think the people seemed to be more concerned that it stayed safe. Hey, it was documented on the news, if the cow made them late to work or school or whatever, they did have proof!
1 person likes this
@Jehanne (1471)
•
1 May
@MarieCoyle they're more excited and amused and forgot their first priority
1 person likes this
