Shaggy ram dodges police and handlers, roams downtown Des Moines after escape

DES MOINES, Iowa - A shaggy brown ram successfully dodged police, his handlers and a few cars while trotting through downtown Des Moines after escaping from his trailer.

But the ram's freedom only lasted about an hour Friday before he was cornered and tackled by about a half dozen of his pursuers.

The Navajo-Churro ram jumped from a trailer near the Iowa Capitol on Friday morning. He led police, Animal Rescue League officials and some Capitol workers on a chase.

Video from KCCI-TV shows the animal strolling along downtown sidewalks and streets, resembling a wooly ball of hair bouncing on tiny legs and picking up speed when someone got too close.

Authorities say the ram was being taken from Creston to Cedar Rapids.