Residents of a quiet Melbourne suburb got an unexpected taste of the outback when two rodeo bulls broke loose and went on a nearly three-hour rampage through residential streets, pursued by cowboys on horseback and police vehicles.
Bulls Bolt Through Pakenham
The bizarre incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon in Pakenham, located in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs. The two recently purchased rodeo bulls managed to escape from their property and began charging through the urban landscape, shocking local residents who immediately began flooding police phone lines with emergency calls.
Victoria Police officers responded to the scene around 5:30pm after multiple concerned locals reported seeing the large animals running through their neighbourhood. What followed was a scene more reminiscent of a western film than suburban Melbourne.
Dramatic Pursuit Caught on Camera
CCTV footage obtained by 7NEWS captured the surreal spectacle of the two bulls galloping along concrete driveways and through residential areas. The video shows two riders on horseback chasing the escaped animals while shouting commands, with a marked police vehicle following closely behind the owners.
In the background of the footage, stunned residents can be seen running after the animals, though maintaining a safe distance from the powerful bulls. The entire pursuit created an unusual juxtaposition of rural Australia meeting suburban life.
Successful Capture and Minimal Damage
According to Victoria Police, the bulls were eventually herded into a paddock and safely captured after nearly three hours of freedom. Remarkably, the incident resulted in only one damaged vehicle, though police acknowledged the unusual insurance claim that would likely follow.
"Only one car was damaged, and we wish the owner the best of luck explaining this to their insurance company," Victoria Police posted humorously on social media following the successful operation.
The incident concluded without injury to the animals, police, or members of the public, marking a successful if unconventional police operation in suburban Melbourne.
