Authorities search for aggressive heifer named Unssi in Oijärvi, Finland
In the South Lapland and North Ostrobothnia regions of Finland, authorities are searching for an aggressive heifer named Unssi. This uncalved female cow escaped three weeks ago from Ranua, with the latest sighting occurring a week ago near Oijärvi, in the Lamminperä area.
Famous dairy farmer Aleksi Kortesalmi explains that the heifer bolted as soon as it was unloaded from the transport truck. The day after its escape, it was found in the nearby woods, and six people attempted to herd it back to the barn. According to Kortesalmi, the skittish animal became aggressive towards humans in that unfamiliar environment.
“People were nearly trampled, so I decided it had to be put down,” Kortesalmi said. He called a neighbor who was supposed to put Unssi down, but the animal could not be located.
A week ago, Kortesalmi received a call from a friend in Oijärvi alerting him that Unssi had been sighted in the area, prompting concern about her movements. “Given how far she has traveled, she could be in Kajaani by now,” he joked, adding, “You need to be quick on your feet.”
Kortesalmi worries that Unssi might encounter berry pickers in the forest, leading to potential injuries. He has warned locals about the heifer on a community Facebook page, suggesting that the animal is timid but will behave aggressively if approached.
If spotted, witnesses are advised to retreat without breaking eye contact and to find cover, such as behind a tree. Unssi, an Ayrshire breed with a distinctive reddish-brown color and a number 311 ear tag, is not particularly large.
Sightings of her should be reported to emergency services, as the police will intervene to deal with the heifer if Kortesalmi cannot. While he feels it is unfortunate, he believes that putting down Unssi is necessary for safety. “If an animal charges at a person, it can’t be a milking cow anymore,” he emphasized, speculating that Unssi might already have fallen prey to predators in the area.