Good Samaritan captures massive loose bull on Highway 35

Some emergency calls demand more than just a standard response; they need raw horsepower, or in this specific instance, serious bull power. Tuesday evening found deputies from the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office on Highway 35, assisting California Highway Patrol officers after a massive bull was spotted running loose along the freeway. Photos released by the department show officers struggling to corral the beast before a good Samaritan stepped into the fray and helped bring the wandering animal under control.

After hours of failed attempts to catch the livestock, authorities decided they needed specialized expertise rather than just more manpower. That is when Samuel Ramos Palomino, a resident of Half Moon Bay, arrived to save the day. He was asleep in bed when deputies called shortly after midnight. Despite needing to be at work by 4 a.m., he immediately grabbed his gear. He loaded his truck and livestock trailer and drove straight to the scene.

The job ahead was far from easy. Palomino worked side-by-side with Sheriff's Office deputies and CHP officers, chasing the bull for several miles while making repeated attempts to lasso it. Eventually, the team managed to get a firm grip on the animal literally by the horns. Once secured, Samuel used his own skills to safely load the bull into his trailer. He then arranged a secure location for the animal until it could be returned home at daybreak.

By the time the work was finished, the clock read about 2:30 a.m., which meant Palomino had just ninety minutes left before he needed to rise for his shift, according to the sheriff's department. Officials credited the foreman with hands-on assistance that likely prevented a serious collision or injury on the busy highway. Coastside Patrol Bureau Capt. Allen and Half Moon Bay City Manager Chidester later met with Samuel in person to thank him for answering the call. "Samuel, thank you for answering ours," the department said. "Your skill, courage, and willingness to help made the Coastside a safer place that night.