Police Officer Stops Runaway Steer at Fair

A Ventura police officer has been credited with stopping a runaway steer at the fairgrounds as it trotted toward a crowd of concert-goers, authorities said.

Officials said a man who participated in the fair’s livestock competition had just led one of his steers off of the fairgrounds about 9:20 p.m. Sunday when an approaching shuttle bus startled the animal.

The steer ran, dragging with him the handler who was gripping the animal’s halter rope, said fair publicist Devlin Raley. The handler, whose name was not available, broke free from the steer and suffered minor scratches and bruises, officials said.

Police said the steer then ran back into the fair through the Garden Street gate and headed toward a crowd coming out of a concert given by country-western singer Chely Wright.

Officer Darrick Brunk saw the runaway steer and charged at the animal, grabbing onto the halter rope, said Ventura Police Lt. Quinn Fenwick. Another fairgoer tried to help Brunk but was knocked down by the steer, Fenwick said. He suffered no injuries.

Brunk then slowed the animal down and other fair workers helped bring the steer under control, Fenwick said.

The steer’s handler was treated for his injuries by paramedics at the fair but refused to go to the hospital. Brunk’s efforts left him uninjured, and he was back at work the next day, Fenwick said.