A man buys a cow for free – the crazy story of “Mücke”

The people of Bremerhaven showed their hearts

Smart, stubborn, saved: This is how the “Mosquito” cow got a new life

A cow, a man with a heart and a crazy rescue operation: these are the ingredients for a happy ending for an almost grotesque animal.

The “Mosquito” cow was supposed to be slaughtered, but he wasn’t happy about it at all. He runs away, hides and then joins the flock. A man from Bremerhaven discovered the animal and immediately decided to ransom it. It’s about animal friendship that Hollywood couldn’t have written better.

It all started with a jump from the carrier: the young “mosquito” was supposed to be taken to the slaughterhouse in Baden-Württemberg in the summer. But the animal took advantage of this moment of carelessness, escaped and disappeared in the forest for weeks. Walkers took his photo, but he could not be captured. It was only when he joined the flock of sheep in Neckargemünd-Mückenloch that his story became public.

The shepherd reported that his flock accepted the large new arrival without any problems. The cows have adapted, sniffing the sheep and “feeling comfortable,” he told “Spiegel”. At the next change of pasture, “Mücke” was stunned and caught. His escape then became news in regional and national media.

The Rüsselheim Association in Hesse agreed to accept the cows. But before “Mücke” can live there permanently, veterinary costs, maintenance and compensation for the owner must be clarified. The sanctuary works on donations and already cares for around 2,000 animals – there’s actually no room for another cow.

At this point, Bremerhaven psychiatrist Jan Reuter discovered the story by chance. “Animal transporters go through almost every day (…) with so much suffering, and what can I do about it? In the end there is nothing,” he reported to the magazine. But the runaway wouldn’t let him go. On the platform he scrolls through the news, sees a photo of cows in a herd of sheep – and misses the train because of his fascination.

“I could do something,” Reuter said later about his decision to buy “Mücke.” He paid 7,900 euros for purchase and maintenance for three years; Other supporters cover veterinary costs. This is not Reuter’s first rescue attempt: he has already rescued a rooster from a butcher in Madagascar.

Reuter also explained to “butenunbinnen” how spontaneously everything happens. “I was so engrossed that I didn’t see the train coming,” he said. After he called the shelter, it became clear “that the cow ransom was very important,” he told the regional magazine.