A sheep that smashed through a glass window to escape a slaughterhouse has recently caused quite a commotion on the streets of Chicago, USA. The animal was ultimately captured by the authorities and temporarily placed with an animal rescue organization. In light of its determined bid for freedom, the organization hopes to give the sheep a chance to live—a chance it clearly wants.
According to WBBM television, the sheep ran around the West Loop and Fulton Market areas of Chicago on August 11, triggering a disturbance that lasted for hours. People followed the sheep with their phones, curious to see what would happen. Witnesses reported that the sheep had escaped from a slaughterhouse on Halsted Street, with a butcher chasing after it. The sheep's action evidently saved its life.
Local resident Bobby Grilli said he could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the sheep on the street. He also saw the butcher running after it, who appeared to be deliberately hiding behind cars to sneak up on the animal. At one point, the sheep was cornered by staff from the Chicago Animal Care and Control center, who then loaded it into their van.
However, the Chicago Animal Care and Control center stated that they do not have sufficient space to house livestock animals like sheep. As a result, the sheep was transferred to the backyard of Chicago Chicken Rescue, a nonprofit organization located on the South Side. Christina Zelano, the co-founder of Chicago Chicken Rescue, explained that their group works with the city's animal care and control center to shelter rescued farm animals, but in the past 15 years, this was the first time they had received a sheep.
Zelano described the sheep's escape: "It was inside a slaughterhouse in Chicago, managed to break out, then found the main administrative office, smashed a glass window to get out, and eventually wandered the streets of Chicago." She noted that the sheep's back bore a slaughterhouse brand, confirming its origin.
The rescue organization is now searching for a new home for the sheep, hoping it can live out its days on a farm with other companions. Over the next few days, the sheep will stay in the organization's backyard, which is shared: half of the space is for dozens of chickens and ducks, and the other half is for the sheep.
"I think it's impressive that this sheep escaped in the pursuit of freedom," Zelano said. "We want to give it a chance to live—and that's what it wants too." She also mentioned that she believes the sheep had never been outside before. Though she does not know its past, she said the sheep is very frightened and withdrawn.
