Unusual Tales of Sacrificial Animals During Idul Adha
Various unusual stories about sacrificial animals have marked this year’s Idul Adha celebrations. The slaughter of sacrificial animals took place across several regions in Indonesia, with communities offering cattle and goats. Compiled by detikcom on Thursday, 28 May 2026, here are the notable incidents:
- Uproar Over ‘Flying’ Sacrificial Cow in Klaten
A sacrificial cow caused panic among residents of Dukuh Krenekan village in Klepu, Ceper subdistrict, Klaten, Central Java, after appearing to take flight. It transpired the animal had broken free and was later rescued using a crane. ‘The cow was tied to a guava tree, but the front wasn’t secured tightly while the back was pulled,’ said local resident Mukhson Huda, as reported by detikJateng on Wednesday (27 May). Mr Huda said the incident occurred around 10:00 WIB. Despite the commotion, the cow was eventually slaughtered. He stated the cow struggled fiercely, causing the neck rope to snap. Residents attempted to chase and tie it to a metal frame tent, which nearly collapsed. ‘The frame was pulled and nearly collapsed. The cow ran half a kilometre, circling the field until exhausted,’ Mukhson added. After the cow stopped, residents were unable to move it to the slaughter site west of Baitul Muttaqin Mosque. It was decided to slaughter it in the field. ‘It was ultimately executed there among the bushes. Transporting it back was too difficult, so a crane from Mas Fiki’s location was used to lift it,’ he added. Wahyanto of the Al Muttaqin Mosque sacrificial committee stated the cow had broken free and hit the frame, leading to its slaughter in the field. ‘It was slaughtered there because moving it was too difficult, so we used a crane as a local resident owned one,’ he said. According to Wahyanto, there were four cattle and 14 goats for sacrifice. The escaped animal was a ‘metal’ breed weighing approximately 2-3 quintals. The incident went viral on Facebook and Instagram, with videos showing the cow lifted high by a crane, giving the appearance of flight.
- Sacrificial Cow Runs onto Roads in Ciputat
Another incident occurred as a sacrificial cow broke loose and ran along roads in Ciputat Timur, South Tangerang. The incident occurred around 13:00 WIB yesterday on Ir H Juanda Road. Police received reports of a loose cow disrupting traffic. ‘Further investigations revealed the animal originated from As Salam Mosque on Semanggi I Street, RT 1 RW 3, Cempaka Putih Village, Ciputat Timur District, South Tangerang,’ said Ciputat Timur Police Chief Kompol Bambang Askar Sodiq in a statement on Wednesday (27 May). The cow was initially brought to the mosque for slaughter at 10:00 WIB. However, as it was about to be slaughtered, it struggled and broke free. ‘It then ran towards Juanda Road,’ he added. This caused passing vehicles to stop, while residents chased the cow. It crossed the road and entered an alley. ‘Yes, it caused traffic congestion as it ran onto the road,’ he said. Several residents used ropes to capture the cow. After an hour-long chase, it was caught beside the female dormitory of the State Islamic University (UIN) in Pisangan Village. ‘It was then transported back to the mosque using an open truck,’ he added. Bambang reported the cow was eventually slaughtered that afternoon.
- Limousin Cow Falls into 3-Metre Ditch in Bogor
A Limousin cow struggled while being tied to a tree on Cibubur Alternative Road in Cileungsi District, Bogor, West Java, and fell into a 3-metre-deep ditch. ‘While being tied to a tree, the cow struggled and fell into a 3-metre-deep animal waste disposal pit,’ said Bogor Regency Fire and Rescue Chief Yudi Santosa on Wednesday (27 May). The incident occurred around 02:30 WIB early this morning. Yudi said his team responded within five minutes of receiving the report. ‘The cow’s owner contacted the Cileungsi Fire and Rescue Sector for evacuation assistance,’ he added. Officers arrived promptly and began evacuation, which took two hours. ‘The situation was eventually stabilised, with the cow successfully rescued after two hours,’ he concluded.
- Sacrificial Cow Trapped in Drain in Bogor
A sacrificial cow struggled in Kalisuren Village, Tajurhalang District, Bogor, West Java, when being unloaded from a pickup truck towards a musalla. ‘As the cow was being unloaded from the vehicle at the musalla, it suddenly struggled,’ said Bogor Regency Fire and Rescue Chief Yudi Santosa on Wednesday (27 May). The incident occurred around 04:00 WIB. Panicked residents released the rope tied to its horns. As a result, the cow escaped through a drain and crossed the main road in the Bomang area (Bojonggede-Kemang). The cow ran 500 metres from the musalla across a housing area via a drain, then became trapped inside and unable to climb out. ‘Due to concern and panic, the report was made to the Disdamkar Rescue Parung team for evacuation,’ he said. Upon receiving the report, officers rushed to the scene and successfully rescued the cow from the drain. ‘The situation was stabilised after the rescue, which took one hour and 15 minutes,’ he added.
- Sacrificial Cow Plunges into Septic Tank in Mojokerto
A cow