Man Accused of Killing Cow in Home Depot Parking Lot Charged With Animal Cruelty

A former employee of a Bloomfield butcher shop who is accused of slaughtering a cow in the parking lot of a Bloomfield Home Depot last month has been charged with cruelty to animals.

Bloomfield police said Badr Musaed turned himself in at the Bloomfield Police Department Thursday.

What Happened:

The incident leading to the arrest happened on July 13 when a young cow at the Saba meat store in Bloomfield got loose and ran across the street to Home Depot.

Musaed, who was a Saba employee, and a contractor who was doing renovation work there followed the cow, armed with a bow and arrow. 

The officer who saw the wild pursuit of the cow tried to help box it in with his police cruiser.

Then, according to the police report, the contractor shot the arrow “as the cow ran towards the employees,” but he missed and the arrow struck the wall of the Home Depot.”

Moments later, Musaed was seen pulling out a foot long knife in the back of the Home Depot. Then, according to police, “Three of the employees grabbed onto the cow … one employee … pulled out a knife and proceeded to cut the cow’s throat.”

Bloomfield police initially gave Musaed a ticket for creating a public disturbance, noting in the incident report that Musaed and his coworkers appeared unremorseful.

Meat Shop Closed

Sabra was closed soon after the cow incident when the town of Bloomfield determined Saba was making renovations without a permit.

The state Department of Agriculture then issued a cease and desist order for the butcher shop.

A man who identified himself as the store’s manager told NBC Connecticut Investigates that he understands the extra scrutiny but said the runaway cow did pose a danger to drivers on the busy road the business sits on, and it needed to be corralled, just not by slitting its throat.

He said he has fired the employee that did that, in hopes of preventing a repeat of that uncomfortable moment.

Saba’s spokesman told NBC Connecticut Investigates last week that the store would remain closed while it works to brings violations found up to code. The issues mostly involve keeping livestock clean, and free from heat stress. 

What’s Next:

Musaed was released after posting a $10,000 bond and is set to appear in court later this month.

Saba will be allowed to reopen after fixing of deficiencies.

Police also have an active arrest warrant for Andy Morrison on charges of disorderly conduct for shooting the arrow, according to Bloomfield police.