Up to seven people were called to try contain the black cow as it trotted up Marsh Street, on to Dumaresq Street and ended up near the Monckton Aquatic Centre.

But its “flighty and unresponsive nature” made it next to impossible to catch, according to rangers.

The drama began about 6.30am on November 16.

Two motorists phoned police after seeing the cow wandering near the Elite Hotel on Marsh Street.

Concerned the beast might be dangerous to pedestrians or drivers, two rangers were dispatched to try catch it.

By the time the rangers found the cow, it appeared “fairly unresponsive and was intent on travelling in its own direction”, they reported to Armidale Dumaresq Council.

It had also suffered a small wound.

But no sooner had the rangers found the cow than it was off on the trot, this time heading towards the children’s playground at the Creeklands, near Stephens bridge.

“The ranger was continuing to herd it in the direction of the closest available paddock that was suitable for holding cattle,” officers reported to Council. 

Meanwhile, numerous calls were made to the district’s stock and station agents in a bid to track down the owner, since the cow didn’t appear to have an identity tag.  

Finally, about 8.30am the owner was tracked down.

By then, the cow’s journey had attracted police and a local stock and station agent.

The beast ran out of puff in the creeklands opposite the aquatic centre, stranded in reeds there.

It was lassoed, then manoeuvered out of the swamp and into a trailer.

But the adventure was not over.

The owner was issued with the fine, which covered the four hours of rangers’ time. 

Tonight, Armidale Dumaresq councillors will decide whether the cow’s owner has to pay the fine, or whether it will be waived.

Officers have advised against waiving the fine, arguing the cow posed a risk to staff, pedestrians and drivers.