Emily (cow) facts for kids
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The statue of Emily the Cow on her grave
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| Species | Cow |
|---|---|
| Sex | Female |
| Born | c. 1992 United States |
| Died | March 30, 2003 Sherborn, Massachusetts, United States |
| Resting place | Peace Abbey, Sherborn, Massachusetts, United States |
| Nation from | American |
| Occupation | Retired dairy cow |
| Years active | 1995–2003 |
| Known for | Figurehead of animal rights and a meat-free diet |
| Owner | The Randa family |
| Weight | 1,600 lb (730 kg) |
| Appearance | Black and white |
Emily was a special cow who became famous for escaping a slaughterhouse in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. She jumped over a tall gate and managed to stay free for 40 days! Emily later found a safe home at a place called "Peace Abbey" in Sherborn, Massachusetts. She lived there until she passed away in 2003.
During her eight years at the abbey, Emily became a symbol for animal rights. She also inspired many people to try a meat-free diet. A life-sized statue of Emily was built on her grave. This statue is part of the "Sacred Cow Animal Rights Memorial."
Emily's Great Escape
On November 14, 1995, Emily was a three-year-old cow. She weighed about 725 kilograms (1600 pounds). Emily was at a slaughterhouse called A. Arena & Sons Inc. in Hopkinton. Just minutes before she was to be killed, she made a daring escape. She jumped over a 1.5-meter (5-foot) gate!
It was a very snowy time, but Emily was seen looking for food in people's backyards. Local people helped her avoid being caught for 40 days. Sometimes, she was even seen running with a group of deer! This amazing story made headlines in local newspapers.
Life at Peace Abbey
After her escape, the Randa family bought Emily from the slaughterhouse. They brought her to live safely at the Peace Abbey on Christmas Eve. Emily quickly became very popular. People from all over the country and even other parts of the world came to visit her.
She soon became a powerful symbol for animal rights. Many people also saw her as a reason to consider becoming vegetarian.
Emily's Memorial
Emily got sick with uterine cancer and passed away on March 30, 2003. A week before she died, a Hindu priest named Krishna Bhatta visited her. He was from the Lakshmi Temple in Ashland, Massachusetts. The priest blessed Emily and placed a golden thread around her leg. He also put one through a hole in her ear. This was the same hole where a number tag had been when she first arrived at the slaughterhouse.
Emily was buried at Peace Abbey on April 2, 2003. Her grave is located between statues of famous peace leaders, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. Meg and Lewis Randa asked an artist named Lado Goudjabidze to create a statue of Emily. It is a life-sized bronze statue. The statue shows Emily with a blanket and flowers, which are Hindu signs of respect. This statue stands above her grave. It was shown to the public on Earth Day.
After Emily's death, some of her hair clippings were taken. These were from her forehead and tail tip. Traces of her blood and the golden thread from her ear were also collected. In April 2003, these items were released into the sacred Ganges River in Benares, India.
