HOUSTON — Several cows were on the loose Monday afternoon in north Harris County, causing a big traffic backup.
One cow was seen on Houston TranStar cameras dodging people and vehicles that were trying to corral it.
It evaded several vehicles in the main lanes of I-45 at Spring Stuebner Road before jumping the median into the other side of the freeway.
The cow eventually made its way off the freeway and out of sight for the cameras.
According to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office officials, a vehicle that was transporting several livestock animals broke down and six to eight cows got loose. That was just before noon. As of 12:45 p.m., at least one of the cows had been cornered and people were working to get it into a trailer.
The incident caused a significant traffic backup in the area. Both sides of the freeway were backed up for several miles. Around 1 p.m., traffic started moving again.
Harris County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Terry Garza, one of the cows was hit by a vehicle. Also, Garza said a vehicle was overturned although it’s unclear how it happened. Garza said one of the cows was detained but it was unclear how many more were on the loose.
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, who posted to social media around 1:15 p.m., three cows had been caught and two northbound lanes of I-45 had been reopened.
Traffic alert: there is a major accident and loose cows and bulls on IH-45 on both north and southbound lanes near the Hardy Toll Road, near Montgomery County line. The freeway is stopped while units attempt to to get the livestock contained. One cow has been hit and a vehicle… pic.twitter.com/SkT4Xe8F72
— Terry Garza, LT (@HCSO_TerryGarza) March 24, 2025
Gonzalez said the HCSO Livestock Unit responded to the scene to help catch the cows.
Garza also posted a video of one of the cows being placed back into a trailer.
Update on traffic alert: the lanes have been opened up on IH-45 NB at the Hardy Toll Road, but there is still loose cattle that ran out of camera sight. Proceed with caution if you are in the area. HCSO’s Livestock Units, patrol, Motorists Assistance Program Units and DPS are… pic.twitter.com/z7Jmg7JIiF
— Terry Garza, LT (@HCSO_TerryGarza) March 24, 2025
Earlier this month, a cow got loose at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Video showed the cow running away from the rodeo gates as people chased after it.