Lamb on the Lam

A runaway lamb, thought to have escaped from a slaughterhouse, recently achieved something many New Yorkers dream of but few accomplish—he moved fast on the FDR Drive on Manhattan’s East Side during a busy time of the day. Two cops on routine patrol on Second Avenue at 120th Street, a very urban neighborhood, first spotted him heading downtown at a brisk trot. At 96th Street, he veered left and got on FDR Drive (we’re talking about rush hour traffic here). Danger was somewhat averted when New York’s finest halted traffic. As the lamb hopped the divider several times and continued towards Brooklyn, though obviously flagging, an unidentified civilian (one of several who tried to help) angled his car in the animal’s path bringing the chase to a safe conclusion.

A very tired lamb, now named Franklin, is resting (and eating) at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Bergh Memorial Hospital. Soon a sanctuary will find a spot for him and the youngster—still an adolescent—can look forward to a comfortable life. Lots of cheers for the police, and warm-hearted civilians, but most of all for the plucky Franklin who won his freedom the hard way—in Manhattan traffic.

Photo, Franklin, the wayward lamb thought to have escaped from a slaughterhouse, calms down at an ASPCA shelter after a wild chase in Manhattan.  His run ended on the FDR Drive, when a driver cut him off at the pass, enabling an ASPCA agent to lasso him. (Bud Williams/The Daily News)