Escaped heifer Unssi may face euthanasia after aggressive incidents in Rovaniemi

According to Maarit Salmi, the city veterinarian of Rovaniemi, incidents involving aggressive, escaped cattle and potential safety hazards occur occasionally. She recalls several cases since starting her career in 1998. One notable incident involved an aggressive heifer named Unssi, which escaped from Ranua in Lapland three weeks ago and has reportedly behaved aggressively toward people. The latest sighting of Unssi was a week ago in Northern Ostrobothnia, and if located, it has been decided that the heifer will be euthanized.

“It’s not uncommon for cattle to be euthanized due to aggressive behavior. Once a cow escapes into the wild, it becomes difficult to tame, resulting in the need to shoot it,” Salmi explained in a phone interview. Iida Saari, an agricultural advisor at the educational institution Lappia, echoed her sentiments, emphasizing that workplace safety is critical when dealing with large animals.

In Unssi’s case, the heifer had just been sold to a new owner and escaped during transport. “It’s understandable that the animal panicked,” Salmi noted. According to Mika Gissler, a professor at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, fatal incidents involving cattle occur on average once every two years in Finland, with some years seeing up to two cases while others report none.

When cows feel cornered or are timid, they may defend themselves by charging. Newly calved heifers can become aggressive, though Salmi stressed that most cattle are typically gentle. Unfortunately, Salmi recounted her experience of having to euthanize a newly calved heifer due to its aggressive behavior.

Temperament varies greatly among cattle, with breeding and genetics playing a significant role in aggression levels. During encounters with aggressive cattle, it is crucial to back away and avoid escalating the situation.