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Yes, you really saw cows loose in downtown Rock Island

Some drivers were surprised by several cows running loose on streets of downtown Rock Island, Illinois.
Yes, you really saw cows loose in downtown Rock Island

ROCK ISLAND, Illinois - Some drivers were surprised by several cows running loose on streets of downtown Rock Island, Illinois.

"He`s like what in the world, I`m like they`re holding a cow down, he`s like they ain't got no cow down, so we pulled in real fast and he was like, dude, they`re holding a cow down," said Donnie Hayes, witness.

Local law enforcement began getting calls about cattle loose on various streets just after 3 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2016.

"All the cows just moving down the road the cops SUV lit up like it was chasing criminals, I'm not kidding ya," one bystander said as he was watching the cow run through a backyard.

Cows were reportedly at large in an area between 13th and 14th avenues between 9th and 10th streets; at least one cow was corralled near 7th Avenue and 4th Street, and another was captured by police next to the railroad tracks at 18th Street and 1st Avenue.

An approaching train was stopped before it got to that intersection.

"This is some pretty good enjoyment for me, entertaining to see a cow on the road being held down by police," said Tommye Miller, witness.

At one point police appeared to be concerned with making sure none of the animals were able to get onto the Centennial Bridge via the on ramp.  There was no impact from the cattle on bridge traffic at any time.

Unrelated wrecks were reported in both directions on the Centennial Bridge just after 4 p.m. and traffic was backed up in both directions.  Six vehicles were stopped in the right lane Iowa-bound; two vehicles were blocking the right lane Illinois-bound.  Illinois bound lanes were clear just after 4:30 p.m.

Police said they believed approximately five cows got loose when a gate was left open at a nearby auction barn.

They were continuing to try to corral the cows as of about 4:30 p.m.

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