ST. PAUL — Police in St. Paul said officers had to shoot and kill a cow that escaped from the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.

Sgt. Mike Ernster said the cow got loose about 11:45 a.m. Friday. Officers cornered the animal near some railroad tracks about 45-minutes later. Authorities weren’t able to tranquilize or corral the cow with squad cars. After the animal charged officers and a railroad worker, police and animal control officials decided they had to kill her.

State Fair spokeswoman Christine Noonan said the white heifer named Breanna got loose as she was being unloaded from her trailer for the Minnesota British White and Park Association cattle sale on the fairgrounds.

Police said Breanna’s owner plans to have the cow processed and donate the meat to a charity.