A bull that had escaped from its handlers during the Iowa Beef Expo on Tuesday morning has been captured and euthanized, officials said.
“We regret to inform you that, despite our best efforts, the loose bull during the Iowa Beef Expo has been euthanized for safety,” officials with the expo said in a statement. “We understand the concern this may cause, and we share in that sadness. Our primary focus remains the safety and well-being of the people and animals at the show.”
Des Moines Police Department officials first warned residents of the missing bull around 8 a.m. Tuesday morning.
Iowa State Fair officials contacted the police department after discovering that the large bull was missing, authorities said in a social media post .
“Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we are committed to learning from this experience to prevent similar occurrences in the future,” Iowa Beef Expo officials said in the statement.
Officials declined to answer further questions about the incident.