The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
ONE LUCKY LUCKY
Iconic bull rescued from attempted bull napping
VERONA, N.Y. » Five would-be cattle rustlers tried to steal Lucky the bull in Verona on Saturday in broad daylight.
The bull has been a landmark in Verona for well over 30 years and survived the fire that claimed the Stampede Steak- house and Saloon, formerly Joel’s Steakhouse, in January 2016.
So it was a surprise when a number of people saw Lucky being loaded onto a trailer around 10 a.m. Saturday — and a shock to owner Peter Richardson when he got the call.
Buddy Richardson, Peter’s father, said he was minding his feed store on Richardson Farms in Vernon Center when a customer asked who his son sold the bull to.
“I said, to my knowledge, he hasn’t. And he told me that there were a few guys up there trying to build a frame to move the thing,” Buddy said. “Immediately, I called Peter and asked him if he sold the bull and he said no.”
“I don’t want to say where it’s going or if it’s going to go back. Five guys ruined it for everybody.”
— Peter Richardson
Once Peter and Buddy realized what was going on, the police were called and the five people involved were charged with criminal trespassing. Peter said they may be charged with criminal mischief.
The would-be thieves cut the anchor bolts to Lucky and used a wooden frame to move it around 10 feet from its original spot on the corner of Route 365 and Route 31. Without any support, there was a chance Lucky could tip over, forcing Peter to move the bull.
“I don’t want to say where it’s going or if it’s going to go back,” Peter said. “Five guys ruined it for everybody.”