Lamb's bid for freedom short-lived

A lamb leapt for freedom on the way to the abattoir, evading captors in central Dunedin by taking a ''ewe turn'' up a steep street before its time on the run was chopped short.

Dunedin City Council compliance, animal and parking services team leader Peter Hanlin said two people saw the ewe lamb in Moray Pl about 2pm on Monday and called animal services.

While waiting for animal services officer Tony Newman, the would-be captors cornered the sheep at 97 Motel Moray, near the Fortune Theatre.

But when Mr Newman arrived armed with a shepherd's crook, the lamb bolted up the footpath towards the theatre then did a surprise ''ewe-turn'' and thundered past the chasing pack, down towards Rialto Cinema and then up View St, Mr Hanlin said.

The pursuit ended in a car park near Otago Girls' High School.

The owner of the lamb could contact the council to claim the ewe, Mr Hanlin said.

shawn.mcavinue@odt.co.nz