Driving along Walks Road in Spanish Town, in the vicinity of Crescent Primary School, motorists may have noticed a cow lying motionless on the side of the road in the blazing sun, in the same spot for days. That cow is affectionately called Moo Moo by community members who have been taking care of her since she was injured in an accident more than a week ago.

When the Jamaica Observer visited the area Monday, police officers were seen feeding the injured cow grass and offering her water as community members looked on. Moo Moo ate slowly, pausing between bites as she gulped down water from a Dutch pot, seemingly desperate to rehydrate after days exposed to the summer heat. She remained largely immobile with most of her legs tucked beneath her body as though to protect them from further harm.

Reports from the policemen, Constable Dwight Lewis and Leighton Taylor, are that they were passing the area on Monday when they saw the cow and stopped. Moo Moo is believed to be pregnant and was injured during a hit-and-run accident. The owner has not yet come forward, and the accident has not been reported.

Gabriel Thomas, a registered nurse who loves animals, pays a visit to Moo Moo to check on the cow’s health. (Photo: Napthali Junior)

In the meantime, residents have stepped in.

A registered nurse who frequents the area, Gabriel Hamilton, said she spotted the cow about a week ago and became concerned when she noticed the animal was immobile.

“I came into the community, and I was asking around. People were not sure whose animal it is. I got closer to her, and I realised that her front right leg was injured, and I saw some blood in her abdominal area as well. The members of the community also told me that she’s pregnant, and I was like, ‘No, this cannot be’,” said Hamilton, visibly distressed as she recounted the interaction.

Constable Dwight Lewis from the Spanish Town Traffic Division gives the injured cow called Moo Moo a drink of water, while his colleague Leighton Taylor observes, on Walks Road in St Catherine, Monday. People say Moo Moo, whose legs are broken, has been lying on the road for about a week. (Photo: Napthali Junior)

An animal lover who almost pursed a career as a veterinarian, she said she immediately sprang into action, calling Hope Zoo, the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (JSPCA), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and even her friend who is a trained veterinarian. Members of the community said they also made several calls to animal-related facilities, but no one has come to help.

Determined to ensure that the animal survived, Hamilton said she and other members of the community formed a pact to take care of Moo Moo. She said she entrusted community member Nicholas Thomas to be the cow’s primary caregiver, promising to compensate him for his efforts to keep Moo Moo alive. She had noticed that Moo Moo had lost weight and she was concerned about her nutrition.

Thomas said he was happy to officially take on the role, noting that he was already providing some level of care to the animal.

“When she ready for food she say, ‘Moo, moo’ and so I call her the name Moo Moo and she just accept everything with love,” he said, laughing.

He then bent down to rub the cow’s head, later jumping with joy as he thanked the news team for stopping by to highlight the story. He said he is optimistic that Moo Moo will survive, urging anyone who can help to do so.

Constable Lewis said he has reported the incident to his supervisor, and they are working to get a member of the agriculture team on location to transport the cow and get it medical attention.

“It’s part of our duty to serve, protect, and reassure, so we are reassuring the cow that help is on the way, and we are trying to get through to see if there is any owner so the owner can come and get her. The owner might not be sure as to its whereabouts. The owner might realise that the cow is not back, but as to the actual location of the cow, the owner might not be sure, so with the help of the media, probably the owner can get in touch and then speak to the Spanish Town police,” Constable Lewis told the Observer.

Constable Taylor, who farms as a hobby, said he loves animals and had to stop to help Moo Moo.

“We just want to make sure that she stays alive until the relevant persons come. We wish we could give her some shelter, but it’s out of our hands because we can’t even lift her up, so we just a try we best to make sure she stays alive,” said Taylor.

“Everybody who is passing can give a hand because we can’t stay here the whole day with her, but each person that is passing can give an eye. I realise a lot of persons help out because we come here and see a pot with water, so that’s good. It could’ve been my animal, so it’s good to see everybody helping out,” added Taylor.