Cows cause mayhem on US highway

A cow has been filmed narrowly escaping being struck by a fast-moving four-wheel-drive after it fled from the clutches of its owner in California.

A major road outside San Diego was shut down for hours after two cows broke free from a makeshift trailer and eluded authorities.

Video of the incident shows one of the rogue bovines at one stage running in front of a four-wheel-drive, which was forced to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision.

Police, animal services and transportation officers, as well as several passersby joined the effort to corral the cattle off the road.

Eventually they were loaded onto a trailer to be brought back to their owner.