In a scene reminiscent of The NeverEnding Story’s “Swamp of Sadness,” multiple authorities in Jefferson County were called to a large animal water rescue on Tuesday afternoon.

Fortunately, for all parties involved, this rescue was successful and markedly less traumatic.

Just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday, a bull had escaped from a property near the intersection of Colorado Highway 93 and 82nd Avenue and became entrenched in the muddy depths of a nearby pond.

Officials from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office determined the animal had escaped either due to a gap in the fencing or a gate being left open.

After nearly an hour of coaxing the animal out with corn feed, fire officials were able to coax the animal to more stable and higher ground where it could free itself under its own power.

Authorities from Fairmount Fire, Arvada Fire, Jefferson County Animal Control, and the JeffCo Sheriff all assisted in the rescue efforts. Between five and seven individuals from the agencies were shown holding onto a lead rope to help coax the animal back to stable ground.

Officials could not confirm the breed or the age of the animal, but based on the video, it appears to be of the American Angus variety. Fully grown adult Angus bulls can reach up to 2,400 lbs. In livestock, this kind of cow is typically bred and consumed as a beef variety, but the animal that escaped is kept as a “pet”, according to the JeffCo Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities from the sheriff’s office confirmed that the animal was reunited with the owner and is now safe and secure. No charges or citations were issued to the owner for the animal’s escape.