Cow escapes New York City slaughterhouse

A cow has sent police on a wild chase through the busy streets of New York City after breaking free from a slaughterhouse.

The animal broke free from the abattoir in Jamaica, Queens on Tuesday, running down a city street and weaving through traffic.

Azan Khan who runs the Jamaica-Archer Halal Live Poultry and Meat Market told CBS New York the bovine escaped as he was being led out of a trailer.

Several streets were closed as police worked to recapture the cow.

"It's like the cow was running for his life," witness Charline Johnson said.

It is unknown the animal’s fate, but several animal rights groups including PETA have called for its life to be spared.

"ETA hopes the slaughterhouse will listen to the many compassionate New Yorkers who don’t want to see this cow killed and agree to live and let live," the group said.