CAROLINA BEACH, N.C. — These cows decided to get away from a manger.

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Police officers in North Carolina helped corral several cows that had escaped from a live nativity scene at a nearby church, WTVD reported. The bolting bovines were found sloshing in the Cape Fear River, the Carolina Beach Police Department wrote in a Facebook post on Monday.

“When you’re a police officer in a small island community, you may get some unusual calls,” police wrote.

The cows escaped from their pen at Seaside Chapel in Carolina Beach, WTVD reported. Residents and a K-9 officer trained with special herding skills were able to bring the cows ashore, according to the television station.

“We are thankful for all efforts to achieve a happy ending!” the police department wrote.

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