A fugitive 900lb longhorn bull was seen trotting down a street as it escaped from police in North Carolina on Monday.

The bovine was being moved by its owner from a pasture to an enclosed area ahead of an impending storm when it was spooked by the weather and fled towards a residential area in Charlotte city on August 7.

Footage shows the dark brown horned animal walking in front of cars along Moores Chapel Road, sparking concern among worried residents.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) said Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control (ACC) officers were dispatched at 7:03 pm to wrangle the loose bull.

The team, along with the owner, tried to corral the bull into a trailer, but it managed to flee into a wooded area after many unsuccessful attempts.

Officials said the CMPD SWAT was also called to the scene to use a heat-seeking drone, which also failed to track the missing bull. The search was called off at around 10:45 pm and was planned to resume at daybreak the following day.

In a statement, the CMPD said: 'ACC's Field Operations Manager was on the scene this morning with a drone and did not have any luck spotting the bull. As of 1:00 pm on August 8, 2023, there have been no additional reported sightings of the bull.

'The public is asked to call 311 immediately to report any sightings of the bull and to please not attempt to intervene in any capacity.

'ACC is currently investigating if the owner has a current livestock permit.

'ACC will work together with CMPD Public Affairs to provide updates on this.'