North Attleboro Police provide update on rodeo bull escapes

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) — The North Attleboro Police Department said that the seven bulls that escaped a rodeo on Sept. 22 were able to get free because of a dislodged pin on the corral holding the animals.

Police said the bulls got loose around 12:30 p.m. at the Emerald Square Mall. While initial reports said eight bulls escaped, it was later determined only seven actually got loose.

The department said the bulls were able to escape because a corral pin was loosened when two bulls jumped on each other when being unloaded.

The bulls then pushed down the fence, escaped from their pen into the event space, knocked down a perimeter fence, and fled from the parking lot.

Police added that the rodeo was unanimously approved by the town’s Special Events Working Group and the event organizers took reasonable precautions and were not negligent.

Six of the bulls were recovered the day they escaped, while the seventh was found near the mall on Sept. 23.