ORLAND, Maine — An Orland family is asking for the public’s help in locating an affectionate young steer that either wandered off or was taken from the farm Monday morning.
Lisa McDonald said Sweet Pea — a 1-year-old white-faced Hereford — is considered a part of the family and was a prize winner last summer for the Hoof & Paws 4-H Club led by her sister, Tina Chadbourne. He is described as weighing about 300 pounds and has a largely brown body with a mostly white head and a No. 8 tag in his ear.
“He is such an affectionate little guy,” McDonald said, adding that he nuzzles her and normally talks to her all day as she works on Chadbourne Farm.
Sweet Pea sleeps in his own trailer on the family’s cattle and horse farm. But McDonald said the trailer’s gate was open this morning and the young steer was gone. And while Sweet Pea has gotten out before, he has never left the yard where the food is located. With the help of a Hancock County Sheriff’s deputy, the family searched the area and found manure on a nearby road.
McDonald said she fears the cow may have been taken from their farm, located on Route 15 or Front Ridge Road in the Orland area.
“I’m just hoping that if he is out there running around that somebody will call,” McDonald said. If he was taken, McDonald said the family does not plan to press charges as long as he is returned unharmed.
Anyone who may have seen Sweet Pea is asked to call (207) 699-8552.
Can you say BARBEQUE?
Probably on someone’s dinner table or in their freezer.
I think sweet pea is heading for the the Vassalboro coffee shop that burned down trying to get it started back up. They will be looking for new talent.
that’s just mean, reinforcing their worst nightmare. quit posting about such a bad ending – story is not over.
Missing from the Mcdonald farm? Would that be Old McDonald’s farm?
ei,ei,o
I know what its like! One of our 4-H steers ran away one in 2008! He was gone for two weeks before we got the call we dreded, he had been shot, and killed. They returned his body to us and we were able to bury him. We bought the steer for $800.00 and put over a thousand dollars worth of hay and feed into him. He would have been a wonderfull show animal! I hope you get your steer back, I can not immagein how devistated you must be! My thoughts are with you, and pray for a safe return of Sweet Pea!
You people are rude, crude and socially unacceptable. You should be ashamed of yourselves. The family’s worry and sadness is not funny. I hope for the safe return of Sweet Pea.
This is what happens when all the sheep farmers go out of business. Steers start missing and all.
I think I saw her hitching a ride down to Portland. I think her little sign said “Lincoln Park or bust.”
If Their “Pet” has made it to the dinner table, I hope it was for a family in need.. and not just one of them there Couch Athlete’s. you know the ones, they go to the store in their sweats, nike’s and ball caps and wish they could still sprint accross the street… Their wives must be proud of them!!!!!
Hope some blind hunter didn’t mistake it for a coyote…
I was reading a few weeks ago that cattle rustling has made quite a comeback out in the West.
Hopefully Sweet Pea wasn’t stolen.
Dear Readers with tips about sweetpea The police have located the ones who Took him and sweetpea has be safely returned to the hoof and Paws 4H club unharmed. we are looking in to pressing charges the 4h kids are very happy to have him back home safe this little guy if not you’re typical beef steer he is used for teaching kids how to care for him, he attends nursing homes to meet with retried Farmers. He bring a lot of joy to everyone he meets he will be on our farm for many years to come .Tina Chadbourne Owner/4H Leader
This story needs updating as I believe that it has been returned, at least that is what it says on WABI ch5 website.
So glad he is back home!!!!!