The rogue cow spotted grazing at Scorching Bay beach in Wellington is a repeat escape artist, who runs away so frequently her owner calls her Harriet Houdini.
Wellington City Council was alerted to the animal on Twitter by a member of the public, and video footage showed her roaming calmly on the grass area behind the beach.
According to the farmer who owns her, Harriet Houdini is two years old and runs away frequently from the farm she lives on which is above the beach.
The farmer said there is an escape two or three times a year and this cow is a serial offender. She credited it to people who walk through the area and climb over the fence by standing on the wires, which stretches the wires so the cows can squeeze their heads through.
On this occasion, Harriet Houdini walked herself back home to her paddock. Her owner told the Herald she had between 15 and 25 cows on the farm at any given time.
