Two people in rural Texas were hospitalized after an “unhappy cow” attacked them unexpectedly, requiring one victim to be airlifted due to severe injuries.
At a Glance
- Two people were injured by an aggressive cow in Leon County, Texas, roughly 90 miles east of Waco
- One victim was transported to the hospital by ground while the more seriously injured person required helicopter evacuation
- The attack occurred Monday morning with emergency services responding around 9 a.m.
- Multiple emergency services coordinated the response, including two medical units, sheriff’s deputies, and the fire department
- The reason for the cow’s aggression remains unknown, and the identities of the injured parties have not been disclosed
Emergency Response Mobilized After Sudden Livestock Attack
Leon County emergency responders rushed to the scene of an unusual incident Monday morning when two people fell victim to what officials described as an “unhappy cow.” The attack occurred around 9 a.m., prompting a substantial emergency response in the rural Texas county located about 90 miles east of Waco. The unexpected nature of the incident required coordination between multiple emergency service agencies to ensure prompt medical attention for both victims.
One person was airlifted to the hospital and another person was taken by ambulance after what officials in Leon County are saying was an “attack by an unhappy cow." https://t.co/DCZtOoGQY1
— FOX26Houston (@FOX26Houston) June 10, 2025
The Leon County Emergency Management office confirmed that one victim sustained injuries serious enough to warrant aerial medical evacuation. Air Med 12 established a landing zone on FM 831 to transport the more severely injured person to a hospital equipped to handle serious trauma. The second victim’s injuries, while still requiring medical attention, were less critical and allowed for ground transportation to a medical facility.
Coordinated Emergency Response Highlights Rural Safety Protocols
The incident triggered a comprehensive emergency response from local agencies. Medical units Med 71 and Med 74 were dispatched to the scene, along with personnel from the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Buffalo Fire Department. The Office of Emergency Management also participated in the coordinated effort, demonstrating the multi-agency approach often necessary for handling rural emergencies where specialized medical facilities may be distant.
Officials have not released the identities of the injured parties or provided detailed information about their current conditions. Similarly, authorities have not specified what might have triggered the cow’s aggressive behavior. Cattle, while generally not considered among the more dangerous farm animals, can become unpredictable under certain circumstances, particularly if feeling threatened or protecting calves.
Livestock Attacks Underscore Agricultural Workplace Hazards
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers involved in livestock management. Working with large animals presents inherent risks even for experienced ranchers and farm workers. Agricultural safety experts often point out that familiarity with animals can sometimes lead to complacency about safety protocols. Adult cattle typically weigh between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds, making them capable of inflicting serious injuries even without intentionally attacking humans.
This Texas incident follows other documented cases of livestock attacks on handlers and farmers. In a more unusual parallel case mentioned in reporting about the cow attack, an Irish man died in April 2022 after being attacked by an aggressive rooster with a history of combative behavior. While different in nature, both incidents highlight the unpredictable risks that can arise when working with animals in agricultural settings.
Safety Recommendations for Livestock Handlers
Agricultural safety organizations recommend several precautions when working with cattle, including maintaining escape routes, avoiding getting between animals, watching for warning signs of aggression, and being particularly cautious around bulls, mothers with calves, and animals in unfamiliar surroundings. The Leon County incident reinforces the importance of these safety measures, even when working with seemingly docile farm animals that have been handled regularly.
Local officials have not indicated whether this event will prompt any additional safety awareness campaigns in the region, but the dramatic nature of requiring an airlift evacuation has already brought attention to the potential hazards faced by the agricultural community. As investigations continue, more details may emerge about the specific circumstances that led to this dangerous encounter with an “unhappy cow” on what began as an ordinary Monday morning in rural Texas.
