By Kevin Cole
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
Plattsmouth's “ninja cow” has a “ninja calf,” and that could be the key to finally corralling the elusive animal.
The ninja cow — a large, black bovine possibly of the Angus variety — has been appearing in and around the Cass County town since mid-September.
Residents compared the cow to a ninja because — like the legendary Japanese warriors — it would suddenly appear and then disappear. It would even show up late at night on Main Street, startling tavern denizens and leaving lots of cow pies behind.
“We figured out where she was hiding in the woods, but we couldn't coax her out,” said Plattsmouth animal control officer Sue Baker.
“Then, like two days ago, she was gone and we didn't know where she went.”
John and Jessica Vallery of the W.J. Cattle Co. just south of Plattsmouth tracked the approximately 1,500-pound cow through the snow and found her calf nearby. The Vallerys captured the calf and placed it in a pen, hoping its mother would walk in of her own accord.
“The calf is absolutely perfect,” Baker said. “They are both in very good health.”
Ninja cow and ninja calf eventually will go home with the Vallerys, whom Baker described as “huge animal lovers.”
It has not been determined whether the pair will join the W.J. Cattle Co. herd or have a separate space as local celebrities.
“I'm thinking we can bring them in for the fall festival and other events because this cow has been the talk of the town for almost three months,” Baker said.
Baker began looking for the elusive animal after receiving a call in the middle of the night Sept. 15 about a cow roaming the streets. She investigated and found a panel from a cattle truck in the street, and learned that another cow had been corralled that night by a farmer near Highway 75 in Sarpy County.
“The cattle truck must have been passing through town and a couple of cows got off, but nobody has admitted it's their cow,” Baker said.
The ninja cow hid in the woods north of town by day but came into town to graze on lush lawns at night. Baker left feed in three areas that could quickly be closed off but had no luck.
“It's been an adventure, but not one that I would want to repeat for a long time,” Baker said. “I spent a lot of sleepless nights looking for her.”
Contact the writer:
402-444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com
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