Cowboy on horseback lassos runaway reindeer

[December 11, 2010]  SANTA MARIA, Calif. (AP) -- A cowboy on horseback lassoed a runaway reindeer that escaped from a California Christmas tree lot and eluded capture for hours.

The 9-year-old reindeer was on the lam for 2 1/2 hours Thursday, scampering through busy Santa Maria streets, strawberry fields and residential areas.

Rancher Bob Acquistapace, riding a horse and wearing a cowboy hat, boots and spurs, finally got a rope over the reindeer's head at about noon and tied the exhausted animal to a lamppost. The reindeer was eventually loaded into a trailer.

The reindeer escaped from the Hopper Bros. Christmas tree lot at the Santa Maria Fairpark. Acquistapace, who is married to a Fairpark employee, happened to be at a nearby ranch with his horse.

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Information from: Santa Maria Times, http://www.santamariatimes.com/

[Associated Press]

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