Holy Cow! You won’t believe what Herbie the bull can do with a football

HIS name is Herbie and he has plenty of reasons to be kicking his hoofs in joy — and not just because he can bend it like Beckham.

HIS name is Herbie and he has plenty of reasons to be kicking his hoofs in joy — and not just because he can bend it like Beckham.

The bull, who was destined for our plates not only managed to escape the truck he was being transported in on his way to be slaughtered, but also survived a made dash through busy traffic before being tranquillised and captured.

This bovine can really play. Picture: Screengrab

In what may sound like a load of bull (see what we did there?), the Hereford steer escaped near a busy intersection in Brooklyn as his owner tried to move him into a truck destined for the slaughterhouse.

But the then four-month-old cow had a beef with that and decided to make a run for it.

The bull lines up, ready for a kick. Picture: Screengrab

After he was captured, authorities then found his owner did not have the appropriate paperwork to be moving the bull and he was handed over to police.

Herbie’s ball skills are impressive. Picture: Screengrab

Luckily for him, For the Animals Sanctuary stepped in and gave the happy bull a loving home where seven years later he now spends his days pretty much living most man’s dream — eating, drinking and playing football.

A grown up and beefed up Herbie, as he is pictured today. Picture: For The Animals Sanctuary

And while Herbie’s story has a happy ending, animal groups are using the football-loving bovine to remind people that’s it’sinternational vegetarian week too.

A spokeswoman for Animals Australia said: “Herbie was a gorgeous reminder that animals experience life in many of the same ways we do and it’s not only their capacity to suffer that we should consider but as Herbie beautifully demonstrates, animals also share our capacity to experience joy and happiness.”